Aideen Hayden (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome all our visitors in the Gallery - and those listening to the debate - who have been waiting for this moment. It is five months to the day since the people passed, with clear intention, their desire that this measure be put into law.

I am proud to be a member of the Labour Party. As Senator Bacik said in her Second Stage speech, we have a proud history of campaigning for equality and rights in terms of social justice, the social agenda, contraception rights, the introduction of divorce in this country, X case legislation and gender recognition legislation. I am proud to say the Labour Party has led on all these issues. It has also led on the marriage equality issue - I am not detracting from the work of the Minister in that regard. Often we get accused of not delivering on our promises. However, I believe that the former Tánaiste, Deputy Eamon Gilmore, should be recognised for the role he has played in this, especially when he was negotiating the programme for Government.

I am proud of the people. They stepped up to the plate. In numerous countries in the world being gay or lesbian is an offence punishable by imprisonment and that is something we should recognise in the world we live in. We can be proud of the fact that we live in the first sovereign country to have brought a measure like this into law by the acclamation of the people. I believe sincerely it is a proud day for us as a country.