Rónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the result of the referendum on marriage and thank Senator Zappone, in particular, for her very gracious words. I would like to reciprocate, and I am sure I speak for other "No" campaigners, by stating that I always felt respected by the Senator. I extend good wishes to her and Ann Louise.

If the proposal had been rejected, it would have behoved those of us who had advocated a "No" vote to seek some kind of a generous accommodation. For example, we could have considered whether the law on civil partnership, an issue that arose during the debate, needed to be amended or strengthened. By the same token, it is important to recognise that the 730,000 people who voted "No" are not mired in ignorance or atavism but have a different view on marriage. They retain their views which should be respected.

From now on, rather than having culture wars, we should consider how we can accommodate different visions of important issues in society. We could start by taking a generous view in the section 37 debate. It is important that schools of different denominations and ethos are entitled to transmit the values that are dear to them and reflect their foundational ethos and that of the people who send their children to them. We do not have to take a winner takes all approach to these issues. I look forward to engaging in constructive dialogue with people who take a different view from me on the meaning of marriage and hope the Government will lead this dialogue instead of seeking to press home its advantage.

Incidentally, it would be good if the 38% of voters who voted "No" were represented by 38%, more or less, of Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas. This is an issue for the parties to consider.

The rural practice allowance for general practitioners working in rural areas is paid to GPs to defray the additional costs of running a practice in a rural area. These include the greater number of house calls they must make to older patients than doctors in urban areas. Some of them also act as dispensing agents for medicines in locations where pharmacists are not readily available.