Freedom of Conscience & the Civil Partnership Bill

10 February 2010

I wish to mention a point made by Breda O’Brien in The Irish Times last weekend which is also apposite. She asked, “Would people who support a derogation from teaching religion for atheistic teachers, also support the right of religious believers not to carry out a civil partnership ceremony for a gay or lesbian couple?” We will have a sensitive debate in the coming weeks and months about the civil partnership legislation.

I will conclude on this, a Chathaoirligh, but I would appreciate your indulgence on this point.

Many people in this House will support in their minds and hearts the idea of a conscience clause that is respectful of what the law seeks to achieve but also of the genuine differences of opinion about this sensitive issue. However, most politicians will not express this because of the party whip system. The media, because it has a bias, generally speaking, against so-called traditional views, will not ask the hard questions, and thus will once again not serve the public. I am asking the Leader for a date for a debate about the media, at which we can ventilate these issues respectfully.