Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

All I am saying is there have been many similar examples in this sphere. That should be obvious to all. Although the Minister says people can go to the Supreme Court or wherever to defend their position, we have not yet achieved a true republic in this country where people can access the courts.I have argued many times that the exorbitant legal costs have been ignored by subsequent Governments and the courts are not accessible except to people of very significant financial means.

In the threat by a number of speakers, two in particular, but others here, there is the issue that the exercise of conscience equates to or is the equivalent of homophobia. I ask the people to take note of that. Should the referendum be passed many people, including parents, will have that charge levied at them because of the nature of the ideology which purports to promote same sex marriage. It is highly regrettable that people use that and they serve their own case and their own interests no advantage and benefit in doing that.