Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

This is not only a piece of paper. The Senator spoke about this being patronising to people. People have strived for she has called a piece of paper. This is an important certificate and it is a recognition of gender.We would not have spent hours in this House if this was only a piece of paper. People would not have campaigned for 20 years if this was only a piece of paper. I cannot accept the statement that this is only a piece of paper. This is an extremely important Bill that is long overdue. That it is long overdue is probably the only part of the Senator's statement that I can accept. It is long overdue, it is 20 years overdue. It has only come through this House because this Government is in office and because of the bravery of Lydia Foy who took it to the courts.