Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State and thank him for his engagement. Like Senator Higgins and others, I commend the Social Democrats. The Government never opposed the legislation. As Leader of the House, I am very happy that the Minister of State, Deputy Stanton, on behalf of the Government, worked proactively to ensure we had this important outcome today.

Sometimes I wonder if it is Groundhog Day when I hear some of the contributions from the Senators on the benches opposite. This is about ensuring that we give parents choice and flexibility and that we put the child at the heart of what we do. Those of us who have been involved in education understand that a child's formative years are very important. That philosophy has a positive outcome for children. I remind Senator Mullen that three years ago he opposed the marriage equality referendum. The world has not ended and the sky did not fall in; society has been enriched and is better as a consequence of the vote of the people.