The Taoiseach has backed the decision of the All-Party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution not to broaden the constitutional definition of the family to include unmarried couples. Stephen Collins, Political Correspondent, reports
Speaking last night at the formal launch of the report, Mr Ahern said the committee had laid out a strategy that would avoid divisive battles on issues over which people held very strong opinions.
"In particular, I find the committee's reasoning on the definition of the family - and why that definition should not be changed at this time - convincing.
"The reality is that the traditional family based on marriage has presented great benefits to our society. It has given social stability and, in general, it has provided a most favourable context in which to rear children," said Mr Ahern.
He said that, given the huge public interest prompted by the preparation of the report, it was clear that the issues surrounding marriage and the family were of central importance to the people of Ireland today.
The Taoiseach added that lawmakers had to deal with competing objectives. "We also need to reflect the practical needs of our people, whose lives and choices do not conform to any single pattern or ideal, however widely held, or whose lived experience may diverge even from their own ideals."
He said the committee had worked hard to get the balance right, and had taken a pragmatic and compassionate approach rather than a legalistic or ideological one.
"It is no surprise that there was not a full consensus on the committee as regards some of its conclusions," he added.
The Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, PD and Independent members of the 14-person committee supported the report, but the Labour, Sinn Féin and Green Party members disagreed. They issued a minority recommendation proposing a referendum to widen the definition of the family to non-married heterosexual and same-sex couples.
Mr Ahern expressed approval of the legal changes recommended by the committee to protect the rights of non-married couples.
He also welcomed the committee's decision to address the rights of children and said the Minister for Children, Brian Lenihan, and the Government would study the proposal to amend the Constitution.