Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I was not here on Tuesday for Second Stage. As I said earlier, we had a meeting in London in the House of Commons on other issues. I read about the comments made by Senator Norris in the newspapers, but it may surprise him and others that I did not disagree hugely with what he said. There are significant differences between the relationships of same-sex couples and opposite-sex couples. The main difference is in regard to capacity to have children. In that regard, blood ties matter and I understand why there would be prohibitions on relationships of consanguinity, because of the risk to children from the close blood tie relationship. That does not arise in same-sex relationships.

In regard to the difference in capacity - I put a query to the Minister previously, but she did not answer it during previous debates on the referendum - there are also issues in regard to the consummation of a marriage. This issue has been used historically as grounds for a legal annulment of a marriage. What is the stance on that issue now, particularly in regard to opposite-sex couples to whom it will apply exclusively. I am interested in hearing an answer to that question because I want to understand how they may be affected by this redefinition of marriage.