This article is from page 14 of the 2012-05-08 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 14 JPG
THE majority of Clare’s Oireachtas members are in favour of civil marriage for gay and lesbian couples.
While civil partnership was introduced more than a year ago, it still falls short of the full legal entitlements of marriage, especially where the rights of children are concerned.
TDs Michael McNamara (Lab) and Timmy Dooley (FF) and Senators Tony Mulcahy (FG) and Martin Conway (FF) all said they believed marriage should be available to same-sex couples..The Fine Gael TDs were not as clear-cut in their answers.
Fine Gael TD Pat Breen said he needed more time to give a more considered answer on the issue.
Meanwhile, Deputy Joe Carey (FG) stated, “There is a commitment in the programme for government that the constitutional convention will examine the provision of same-sex marriage. They’re examining that currently, as well as a number of other issues. I am in favour of civil partnership and believe this provision is a huge step forward for same-sex couples.”
The other TDs are happy to see the legislation go further.
“I don’t see why there shouldn’t be civil marriage. I believe in the principal of equality,” said Deputy Dooley.
As it is the stated position of the party following this year’s Ard Fheis, he said he would also be supporting any legislation brought before the Dáil on this matter.
Labour’s Deputy McNamara was equally supportive. “Civil marriage, yes, but obviously what religious communities do is a matter for religious communities themselves,” he said. “There are same-sex relationships where children are involved now, they are not as infrequent as they were 20 years ago. The current laws are inadequate to deal with where the natural mother or father of the child had died leaving the child and the other partner in the relationship in a very difficult legal situation, so clearly for the sake of children, as well, it needs to be regularised,” said the former barrister.
Senator Conway (FG) said, “I believe there should be absolute equality for all people. Marriage is about a couple committing to each other for life, irrespective of their circumstances. If legislation comes through, I would like to see an all-party approach to this important issue and I would like to see all-party agreement. If that is not possible, the legislation I will support is legislation that is properly proofed and enshrined in equality.”
Senator Mulcahy (FG), who was also in favour of equal rights for same-sex couples, said, “As a society, we have been shoving our heads in the sand for far too long. We as a nation need to grow up, as opposed to growing up a bit of the way every 20 years.”
“If adults of the age of consent determine this is what they want to do with their lives, it is not for us to dictate to them. I came across it at the doors at the election last year, meeting people who believed we all should adhere to their beliefs, but I do not believe in that. I don’t dictate terms to anybody. I don’t think any sector of society should.
“If people over the age of consent decide that is how they want to live their lives, then we should legislate for that and provide for that,” he said.