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

Today the Seanad made history by passing the Marriage Bill 2015. When the President signs the Bill into law, couples will have the right to marry without distinction as to their sex. Once the Bill commences, those who married in other jurisdictions will have their marriages recognised. When I sign the order, they will go from being regarded as civil partners in Irish law to married couples. Soon thereafter, the first marriages of same-sex couples will take place. Soon, we will have Christmas weddings of couples who thought they might never be able to marry. Today is a joyous day.

We have had our differences along the way. Passionate and diverging views have been expressed. Nonetheless, and I am sure everyone here will agree, that the referendum and this Bill are a vindication of the democratic process. They demonstrate how democracy enables us to articulate, reconcile and respect diverging views. The road to marriage equality may have been long but it has rightly involved an entire nation. Marriage equality is not simply about marriage it is also about acceptance. The Irish people have made it clear that they accept and embrace diversity. We have recognised our common humanity and the desire of most of us for the love of a partner with whom we can become our best selves.

While the journey has not ended, and many have made that point, the people’s decision on 22 May 2015 is a powerful riposte to the prejudices of the past. Too many have suffered with that prejudice.