Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank all Senators for their contributions, which have been quite extraordinary, very moving and most enjoyable to listen to. I want to thank the Senators for their very generous comments in regard to my own role but, of course, as we have listened to the debate, more and more names have been put on the floor of the House. Of course, there are names we have not yet put on the floor of the House, and we would be here all night if we were really to pay tribute to everyone who has been involved and those who have played such a key role in the move towards marriage equality. It has been a very long journey and it is very important to be reminded of that.

I myself still have to pay tribute to Senator David Norris for that early leadership, because early leadership is very difficult and it requires putting oneself out there. He has done that for so long and I mention that again because I think his role has been so significant. As we have heard from so many Senators, he has influenced so many people in their understanding of these issues.

I would reflect as well on the cross-party nature of the debates and the development from a political perspective, which has been very important. We have seen this with the various individuals in our own parties. I acknowledge Deputy Jerry Buttimer and the Minister of State, Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, who was here earlier, and Senator Ivana Bacik spoke about the work in her own party, as have others. It was a very striking feature of this that we were able to work so effectively together.

The Marriage Bill, as I said, is a short, technical Bill. It is an expression of the decision of the people on 22 May and its provisions are focused on enabling two persons to marry in accordance with law, without distinction as to their sex.Though short, it is potentially life changing, as everybody has said. I return to the point about how long it has actually taken. Senator Craughwell spoke about an intolerant Ireland but as we celebrate the passing of the Second Stage of the Marriage Bill 2015, I remember all those people who left this country and suffered in silence because we were not able to be inclusive up to this point. Many people have paid a very heavy price for that. It is good, as everybody said, that we are a new point.

Senators indicated that they will table amendments and I will deal with a number of the points raised. On the shortage of civil solemnisers, I have already raised the issue with the Tánaiste. We are both keen to ensure there are sufficient secular solemnisers and civil registrars to ensure that access to marriage is not unduly delayed. This would clearly have a disproportionate impact on same-sex couples. We intend to address this and I hope it can be done in the near future.

Senator Norris raised the issue of prohibited degrees of relationship. The Department of Justice and Equality and the Department Social Protection are currently considering a review of prohibited degrees of relationship based on affinity and the prohibitions based on familial relationships by marriage. I agree with Senator Norris that some should be reviewed and we will look at that. I would add that the prohibited degrees are not exclusively about genetics but about power disparity or abuse within families. Clearly, a range of issues must be considered when we are looking at the issue.

On the question of wider marriage reform and underage marriage, I would say to Senator van Turnhout that we can discuss that in detail on Committee and Report Stages. Senator Norris also raised pension treatment. My colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, has given extensive consideration to the issue of access to the revised spouses' and children's pension scheme. He has decided not to do so because it would not be possible to limit such access to a specific cohort and the impact on public service pension liabilities would be very significant but I will give him more detail on that when we come to discuss it on Committee Stage.