Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is an important and historic day in this Chamber as we debate this legislation. I hope the House will not divide on it, notwithstanding the Minister of State's reference to the Department's concerns regarding the Bill. I commend Senator Nash and his Labour Party colleagues on bringing forward the legislation. They got ahead of the Fine Gael LGBT group on this occasion, as we were drafting something similar. This is an important proposal from an historic perspective and for those men still alive, and their families, who are affected by its provisions.

I must, unfortunately, introduce a discordant note in pointing out that Senator Ruane's contribution was very negative, given the gargantuan changes we have seen.