Ten years ago this country proudly affirmed marriage equality through a referendum. The LGBTQI+ community in the United States also won equal marriage rights in that same year. I have been deeply concerned by the rising anti-LGBTQI+ sentiment there and elsewhere. One couple in my constituency were married in the United States and are particularly worried that if a state or US court invalidates their marriage they may lose legal recognition or protections in Ireland or in other countries. What happens to those couples if those marriages are deemed void by the state which granted them? Could I get assurances from the Taoiseach and the Attorney General that marriage equality will be upheld here in all circumstances and that the Government will ensure Ireland will be a safe haven for all, even if threatened elsewhere? What else is the Government doing to protect the rights of the LGBTQI+ community here and abroad?

Internationally, we have been to the fore in advancing the rights of the LGBTQI community, in particular at European Union level. Some member states are beginning to resile in respect of rights for the LGBTQI community.

The law is the law in Ireland insofar as we can control that. I will certainly discuss the potential of what was outlined with the Attorney General but I surmise that we would be in a position to continue to recognise valid marriages and so forth. Our position as a society is clear on this.