Kevin Humphreys (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank my colleague, Senator Bacik, for the work she has done on this Bill. The legislation has great support within the Labour Party.

I thank the departmental staff for their openness in how they approached this legislation. Senator Nash has described this legislation as unfinished business and a housekeeping matter, but it is important to a few people because it will have a huge impact on their lives for decades to come. The anomaly has led to a huge worry for couples in terms of how the surviving partner would be provided for if the other partner passed away. I thank the Minister for not opposing this Bill. In fact, he has supported it, thus allowing it to move on to the next Stage.

The battle for equality in terms of lesbian and gay rights has spanned decades in this country. Many times, when people took out pensions, they could not openly say their partners were the same sex. I very much remember the applause Senator Norris received when he ran the Dublin city marathon shortly after winning his court case. On that occasion many people cheered him on. I know because I was on Haddington Road cheering him on.