Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is wonderful to welcome the Minister to the House. I have had the pleasure and privilege of working with her on equality issues for many years. It is wonderful to remember her wife, Ann Louise Gilligan, and to pay tribute to all our distinguished visitors in the Gallery. Again, it has been a pleasure and privilege to know and have worked with many of them over the years. It is also wonderful to stand behind my colleague, Senator Norris, who has blazed a trail for so many people for so long on equality and LGBTI issues.

I am proud to support this motion and to be part of the Labour group. I commend my colleague, Senator Nash, who has worked hard on this in conjunction with the Minister and the Government to ensure that this is genuinely a cross-party motion and that we can celebrate the 25th anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality. This significant important apology and exoneration will mean so much to so many people.

There are other legacy issues we can deal with to make Ireland a more progressive and equal society. We did something about that several weeks ago with our vote on 25 May. I am pleased to be here and help celebrate this. I give way to my colleague and another great comrade in the struggle, Senator Buttimer.