Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We worked hard, as a Government and as Government Members, to bring about change and advance equality. We did not sit quietly by; we worked hard to achieve things. That is why today is important for people like John Lyons, who is no longer in the Oireachtas. This Bill is about our friends, our people and ourselves. It is about those of us who were told we were not equal under the laws of the land and could not have relationships. We were pushed underground and told we were lesser. That is why this Bill is welcome. It is a celebration of those people who have died and cannot be here today. I celebrate, too, Senator Norris and all the work he has done, especially his ground-breaking action in going to the European Court of Human Rights to challenge the norm in the eyes of the State. I am disappointed with the tone of Senator Ruane's remarks. I see she is back in the Chamber.