Marie Moloney (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for attending and facilitating the passage of this Bill. I thank everybody in the Visitors' Gallery. I am delighted Senator Norris has been present during the passage of this Bill. He ploughed a lonely furrow for many a year and I am delighted he is a Member of this Chamber today on the passage of the Bill so he can see what he promoted for so long come to fruition.

Two friends of mine who are getting married on 2 January were extremely worried this legislation would not be passed. I assured them it would be, that the Minister would not let them down and that everything would be done and dusted before 2 January. Last week, when the legislation was put off the agenda, my friends became increasingly worried.However, they will be a happy couple tonight. I wish them well for their forthcoming marriage.

A great deal of progressive legislation has gone through the Seanad in recent months. I worked very hard on what became the Gender Recognition Act and I am delighted that the forced divorce clause will not be an issue for people. Yesterday was another historic day as we started debating legislation which will abolish the reasonable chastisement clause in the Children First Bill. Today's debate is the cherry on the cake. I congratulate everyone involved in getting the Bill this far. As the song goes, "Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high, there's a land that I dreamed of, once in a lullaby". Brothers and sisters, Ireland is now that land.