Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Too often people talk of historic days, but most people would agree that the passing into law of the Marriage Bill is indeed a historic day. Earlier this year, 22 and 23 May were historic days. I could not but have been proud to be Irish on those days. Moreover, I could not but be proud to be a Senator on a day like today. I am proud to see so many people in the Gallery whose lives are going to be directly affected by what is happening in the House today and what happened in the country this year.

My good friends, including Senator David Norris, Senator Katherine Zappone, Deputy Jerry Buttimer and Deputy John Lyons, and all the others who we know and love in our communities will see a major difference in their lives. They now become equal citizens and are now considered equal citizens not by any law really but by the people. That is a phenomenal experience to be part of. There are not too many good days in politics. There are many difficulties in politics, but this is a phenomenal day to be in politics.