Humanist Association of Ireland Submission to the Working Group on Domestic Partnership established by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

Executive Summary

The Humanist Association of Ireland (HAI) makes the following points in its submission:

1. Whatever form of relationship is awarded legal status must have parity before the law with traditional marriage.

1. Any couple who wish to sign the civil contract of marriage, with the status and entitlements thereby conferred, should be free to do so regardless of gender but with regard to other considerations as currently exist.

1. Any additional ceremony to complement the signing of the civil contract of marriage is entirely at the discretion of the couple.

1. An expansion of the definition of marriage would tend to strengthen the institution of marriage, for it would encompass a larger segment of society.

Introduction

The HAI is a company limited by guarantee without having share capital, and with an elected Board of Directors. It is a member organisation of the European Humanist Federation and is affiliated to the International Humanist and Ethical Union.

It is a voluntary body founded in 1993 to promote the ideals and values of Humanism: an ethical philosophy of life, based on a concern for humanity in general, and for human individuals in particular. This view of life combines reason with compassion. It is for those people who base their interpretation of existence on the evidence of the natural world and its evolution, and not on belief in a supernatural power. In this, Humanism continues a tradition which has existed for over 2,500 years and which still flourishes today. Humanism encompasses atheists and agnostics, but is an active philosophy in its own right and not simply a negative response to religion.

A Humanist believes that the happiness of individuals and of humankind depends on people, rather than on religion and dogma. We encourage open-minded enquiry into matters relevant to human co-existence and well-being and believe that people can and will continue to find solutions to the world's problems so that quality of life can be improved for everyone. As Humanists we are committed to the application of reason and science, to the understanding of the universe and to the solving of human problems.

Both in personal and social terms we believe in the common moral decencies: altruism, integrity, honesty, truthfulness and responsibility. Moreover, our ethics are amenable to critical, rational guidance. It follows from such commitments and beliefs that we are concerned with securing justice and fairness in society and with the elimination of discrimination and intolerance. We support the axiom that a separation of Church and State will facilitate the achieving of a society that is open, tolerant and pluralist.

In pursuance of these ideals, the HAI provides support and representation to people who seek to live full responsible lives without religion, assisting in the provision of secular ceremonies of births, weddings and funerals, publishing a quarterly journal The Irish Humanist, maintaining an informative website (www.irish-humanists.org) and making constant endeavours to voice the Humanist and secular viewpoint in both the print and broadcast media. In addition, the HAI makes appropriate submissions to Government, organises seminars and workshops and contributes to cultural life. In short, Humanists are positive, gaining inspiration from our lives, art and culture, and a rich natural world. It is worthy of note that those who do not avow any religion now form the largest ethical minority within the country, greater in fact than the other four minority Christian denominations combined – Church of Ireland, Presbyterian, Orthodox and Methodist (National Census 2002).

Humanist Association of Ireland and Domestic Partnership

Individuals across many cultures and belief systems find satisfaction and joy in making public commitment to another person. To Humanists such relationships are of prime importance and for this reason Humanist organisations (including the HAI) currently facilitate ceremonies where such commitments are made, regardless of the gender of the couple. Any couple may also undertake a ceremony or not according to their beliefs and wishes.

Under the constitution the State is bound to defend marriage, presumably in the belief that long-term relationships between individuals are conducive to the stability of society. Humanists along with the major religions would be, broadly, in agreement with such an understanding of human society. In fact we believe that the expansion of the definition of marriage would tend to strengthen the institution of marriage, for it would encompass a larger segment of society. We also acknowledge that partnerships not regulated by marriage must present the State and the individuals themselves with difficulties in relation to such matters as tax liability and property inheritance rights.

All individuals fulfilling the legal requirements such as age and competence should therefore on signing the civil contract of marriage, be equal before the law as regards the rights and responsibilities of those who are married. The legal binding of the union is of more importance, we hold, than the name of the union, but should carry equal status between same sex and man/woman relationships.

The HAI has no views at present on partnerships entered into outside the State.

April 2006