Rónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Obviously, I wish everybody here well, as I did on the day the votes were counted. I was really taken by what Senator Zappone just said about embracing our opponents. That is really important as we share the country. Those of us who had and still have reservations about what the people decided still love those with whom we disagreed. We do love them but we have to be true to ourselves. I heard the Minister say some days ago how she hoped people would feel their fears have been allayed. It is important that we do not patronise one another. Sometimes we have a sincere disagreement that amounts to a concern or represents a well-worked-out position. Certainly, it should not have taken a referendum on marriage to signal our united horror and opposition to homophobia of any kind, or any behaviour that would lessen our respect for human dignity and the radical equality of each and every person. In asking proponents of the "Yes" side for magnanimity in victory, I am certainly signalling my realisation that there is also a requirement for magnanimity in defeat.

One development that concerned me somewhat, but which I hope will not reflect a consequence of this legislation, is that there were people on the "Yes" side who sought on the day of the referendum result to create a link to the eighth amendment. I met many people who said they voted to change the position on marriage in the Constitution but not to change the other provision. It is important that we do not prejudge each other now and that we return to a sincere consideration of the issues that are important if we are to cherish the equality of each and every person in society, particularly the most vulnerable. I look forward to working with people with whom I radically disagreed on the subject of the definition of marriage but with whom I radically agree on the need to cherish each and every vulnerable human life at all stages of life.

I salute the people on the "Yes" side whom I encountered during the referendum campaign who were very credible, decent, upstanding and positive, and who played the argument rather than the person. I also salute the 38% of people, or most of them, who voted "No" to the proposal for their decency, intelligence and credibility. They are citizens and have an equal voice, and they are not going away. They have a different vision of something that is very important to the "Yes" side, but it does not mean they do not respect and love those on that side. They are entitled to their place in this democracy and it is important that those in victory on the political side — I am talking about public representatives — acknowledge that and do not just patronise those people as if they were somehow on the wrong track. They are citizens and electors and need to be heard now and into the future. They accept the rule of the majority.