Minister for Justice Michael McDowell was heckled by protesters at a conference to discuss the legal status of same-sex couples in Dublin this morning.
Up to six people, some claiming to be members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, threw pens, paper cups of water and copies of the Irish Constitution at Mr McDowell and tried to shout him down as he spoke at the event in the Royal College of Physicians, next door to Leinster House.
Michael McDowell
Protesters shouted "shame, shame" as the Minister addressed senior legal figures from Canada, Spain, the United Kingdom and The Netherlands on the future for gay partnerships and cohabiting couples.
Gardaí were called, but there were no arrests made.
Mr McDowell said afterwards: "People have a right to protest, and I will certainly accept the Constitution at any time in any way."
The Legal Status of Cohabitants and Same Sex Couplesconference, which continued after the protests, was held to stimulate debate on a new status and standing for same-sex couples in Irish society.
It was organised by the Working Group on Domestic Partnership, the Equality Authority and Gay and Lesbian Equality Network.
Mr McDowell told the event that if significant legal change is to take place in relation to same-sex and other partnerships in this State, the measure must have have a "fairly broad" measure of support across society.
"The question of extending legal recognition to same-sex and other couples in domestic relationships is one which has been of interest to me for some time," Mr McDowell said.
He said a political consensus is emerging towards legislating in this area and that he was committed to "building on this consensus by bringing forward legislative proposals during the lifetime of this Government.
"The issue of civil partnership, presumptive or nomination schemes to deal with particular situations faced by cohabiting couples in their lives, while often lumped together, are in fact very different approaches," he said.
"The Government believes that if very significant legal change is to take place, it must have a fairly broad measure of support across society. In that context I think a debate that is both informed and respectful of people's difference is important.
"There is no doubt but that the needs of unmarried cohabiting couples require heightened legal protection. Many cohabiting couples want to share property, home life, and income, and want to care for one another and to be cared for in that context," Mr McDowell said.
But Mr McDowell noted that heterosexual couples have the option of marriage open to them. He said it was "doubtful" whether there are any advantages to legislating for an institution for opposite-sex couples that mirrors marriage.
"The situation, of course, is different for same-sex couples, for whom marriage is prohibited."
"Of course I also acknowledge that many same-sex couples seek full equal status with opposite-sex couples by having the option of marriage extended to them. While I respect this ambition, my view is that the law must be updated to cater for their needs while at the same time fully respecting the Constitution," he said.
Michael McDowell
He said that as a society, we must give "thorough consideration" to what course we can and should follow in this "sensitive and complex area".
He noted a number of recent changes in the law taking account of non-marital relationships.
But he said the All-Party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution did not favour an amendment to the constitutional definition of the family.
"In facing the strategic decision whether or not to change the definition of the family to extend constitutional protection to all forms of family life, the committee took the view that such an amendment would cause deep and long-lasting division and would not necessarily be passed by a majority.
"The Taoiseach has accepted this view publicly, and I also believe it to be the correct assessment to a difficult political and legal question."
Additional reporting: PA