Potatriotique

Right. Today, Ireland witnessed a “historic” moment, and all the gays were “vindicated” when the Taoiseach opened the offices of GLEN (Gay & Lesbian Equality Network). Apparently. I was there, and so I suppose I should marvel at this “historic” occasion, and rejoice at my “vindication”.

Excuse me, while I find my queer Uncle Tom cap to doff.

The Taoiseach’s speech can be read here. In it, you can read about GLEN - which, seemingly, is Ireland’s “gay and lesbian community” - taking their “rightful place at the centre of our capital city’s cultural, community and civic life”. This “centre” is, somehow, The Liberties, where the GLEN offices are situated.

Right.

You can also read that “[w]e all want … all our citizens” to be “fuly respected”.

And here’s a choice comment: “All citizens, regardless of sexual orientation, stand equal in the eyes of our laws.” Really, Bertie? Can we hold you to that? Let’s place a wager, shall we?

Moreover, Bertie wanted to state clearly today - which he did - that “the Government [sic] is unequivocally in favour of treating gay and lesbian people as fully equal citizens in our society”. Is it? Well then, why aren’t we? Quite a little conundrum there, eh, Bertie?

It seems also, that “gay law reform” is something to be achieved, by GLEN. What, however, “gay law reform” actually is is beyond me.

The Taoiseach also went on to prattle for a good 10 minutes (or what seemed like an eternity) listing the various studies/reports/papers/etc. on LGBT people and equality. All this wonderful duplication/triplication/quadruplication - feck, I’ve lost count - is to be once again replicated, this time by the “working group” established by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

The Taoiseach did mention the Civil Partnership Act 2004 in the UK. He then said, “Moreover,” although I think what he meant was however, “our written constitution gives rise to complexities that did not arise in the British case”. In other words, ‘Forget trying to force us to replicate the UK Act, I’m sticking to the latest report from the All Party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution, and you can go to hell if you think otherwise - especially this side of an election. Jayses.’ Or some such.

Oh yes, and of course, the Ministser for Justice’s “working group” will be reporting to the Minister in October with an “options paper”, whatever the hell that is - and October just happens to be so very, very close to next year’s general election, as well as being the month that the Zappone and Gilligan case is heard in the High Court.

In fact, I just heard on NewsTalk 106 FM that a source close to the Taoiseach has said that there is no chance of anything happening this side of the general election.

So no surprises there, then.

And then, of course, An Taoiseach had the bloody nerve to inform the gathered gays:

Furthermore, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform is currently preparing regulations to implement the Council Directive on the right of citizens of the [European] Union and their family members to move and reside freely within the territory of the Member States. This will provide certain entitlements to the partner of a Union citizen where there is a durable and duly attested relationship. The procedures that will operate in this area are currently being developed.

Well, I can only assume the Taoiseach is referring to the Council Directive which emerged from the Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the right of citizens of the Union and their family members to move and reside freely within the territory of the Member States, discussed in Europe around September/October 2003.

If that’s the case, then those regulations are being prepared by the Minister for Justice, despite this government’s attempts to oppose that very Directive, during it’s Presidency of the EU, no less: see here and here. Indeed, at the meeting to discuss the original proposal, Ireland was the only Member not represented by a Minister. There’ s commitment.

So you’ll forgive me if I regard the Taoiseach’s speech today as nothing more than complete and utter bull.

Coincidentally, I had with me today, a book by a Mr. Steven Poole, called Unspeak. Remarkable.

.