David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome these additional amendments. In the context of what Senator Higgins just said, I recall a couple of battles here - I believe we won them by vote - when the Government opposed what we were doing. It entertained me greatly to see Government spokespersons on the television afterwards wallowing in the approval that was given and taking credit for it. I thought their performance was majestic.

Amendment No. 2 is very good. For the avoidance of doubt, a relationship does not cease to be an intimate relationship for the purposes of this legislation by reason only that it is no longer sexual in nature. I can speak from personal experience here. I had a relationship with an Israeli citizen, Mr. Ezra Yitzhak Nawi, for many years, and it was only sexual for the first three years. We continued to share an apartment in Jerusalem, to make meals together, to go on holidays together and to go for walks together. It was an intimate and loving relationship. The sexual element just evaporated. I am glad to say there was no domestic violence but, of course, in these situations there could easily have been. It is very important that the Bill is extended to cover these, and I welcome the amendment.