Civil partnerships are a step along the road to equality in Irish society

IN RETROSPECT the introduction of civil partnerships to this country was remarkably calm and civilised.

Politicians did their jobs calmly in introducing the necessary legislation and hell did not freeze over, just as it didn’t when contraception for non-married couples was allowed finally, homosexuality was decriminalised and divorce of civil marriages was introduced.

People may differ as to whether Ireland is a better place or not for these changes — and a majority would probably say that it is. But few could disagree that these moves improved personal freedoms and choices. This has made for a more equal, less discriminatory society, at least on social rather than economic issues. Some people don’t like this, of course, not trusting the competency of individuals to make informed personal decisions and preferring that they defer instead to the instructions of some authority, usually religious.