Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I compliment the Minister on the wonderful job she did and her sensitive handling of an issue that was very difficult. I said some days ago that she is one of the people I hold in the highest esteem, and I must reiterate that today.

Let me turn to the people of the "Yes" campaign on the ground. They awakened a political movement that rocked this State to its very foundations. They knocked us into shape, educated us and taught us what it was to be equal. We never had true equality in this country. I applaud those concerned on what they did. I know that the opposition, the people who are feeling hurt today and who feel, somehow or other, that they lost something, will in time discover they did not lose something. Today Ireland moved forward and became a state for all citizens.

I served in two armies and lived with men for most of my young working life. I knew men who were gay and men who were not. I had friends who came out and friends who did not. Those friends, relations and family members of mine who felt until today that they could not come out can do so today. Today they are equal citizens along with me and everybody else. I am deeply humbled by the actions of those who helped this to come about.