Mario de Marco: Position is one of conviction not convenience. Photo Matthew Mirabelli

A new level of maturity was discernible in Maltese society in recent months, as the discussion about a Bill recognising unions between people of different sexual orientations were held, according to PN Deputy Leader Mario de Marco.

Speaking during the debate in second reading on the Civil Unions Bill, Dr de Marco said the fact that such unions were being recognised for the first time did not mean politicians were referring to some new situation which didn’t exist before.

Both parties promised to recognise unions between same-sex couples during their electoral campaign, but unfortunately instead of looking for what united, some were sometimes more interested in scoring political points.

The Government promised civil unions while the Opposition promised civil partnerships. What was the difference?

True enough, during the run-up to the election one would have thought the two concepts were diametrically opposed. The reality is that although there is a difference in terminology, the real difference was in the rights and responsibilities the legislator wanted to give the institution.

Perhaps the PN in government had been too cautious when it came to rights and responsibilities of gay couples, and it had paid the price for this. However, today’s position was not one of convenience but of conviction.

Dr de Marco said that there may be people who have different opinions, and who are not yet ready to recognise this right. But dignity was the most basic human right which everyone should enjoy.

This was why Opposition MP Claudette Buttigieg had presented her Private Member’s Bill, he said, adding that he could honestly not understand why the Government kept dragging its feet about this constitutional amendment and was insisting that it should not be discussed before the debate on the Civil Unions Bill.

Dr de Marco urged MPs to look for that which united them, and said he believed the Bill to be one such case.

Concluding, Dr de Marco said it was natural that the discussion would not end there, but ultimately such discussions would always reflect the maturity of society. In this discussion another sector of society has been ignored, he said, referring to those who chose to cohabit. The deputy leader said it was time to have a serious discussion on this matter.

Dignity is a most basic human right which everyone should enjoy

Dr Buttigieg said the PN was proving how important this issue was to it. She was proud of how seriously the PN was taking this subject, holding a wide-ranging and profound discussion.

It was positive to discuss with fellow MPs, with a clearly formed opinion, only to realise that there were points which perhaps requiref concessions. Dr Buttigieg said she did not feel the PL had held this sort of pro-found debate.

She urged the Government to shed its fear of change, and to heed to Opposition’s amendments, instead of assuming they would be making things worse. The aim was to ensure the best possible piece of legislation, which was what the people deserved.