22/01/2024
Senator David Norris has given his final speech in the Seanad as he retires after 36 years.
Norris, who is well-known for advocating for injustices and human rights, used his retirement speech to say he “deplores” the actions of Israel, while also using the opportunity to state that he will be backing the upcoming referendums in March.
Norris took the Attorney General to the High Court over the criminalisation of homos*xual acts. His claim was based on the fact that the law infringed on his right to privacy and that since the introduction of the Constitution of Ireland, the law passed under British rule became repugnant to the constitution. The High Court ruled against Norris.
He appealed his case to the Supreme Court of Ireland. In 1983 (Norris v. Attorney General), the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the law by a three to two verdict.
Having lost the Supreme Court case, Norris took his case to the European Court of Human Rights.
In 1988, the European Court ruled that the law criminalising same s*x activities was contrary to the European Convention on Human Rights, in particular Article 8, which protects the right to respect for private life. The law was held to infringe on the right of adults to engage in acts of their own choice.
"The first and immediate thing about the European decision is the enlargement of dignity and freedom for gay people – but I think a decision like this enhances the dignity and freedom of all the people of Ireland because it pushes us towards a more tolerant and plural society." — Norris's reaction to the European ruling, 1988.
This law was repealed in 1993. 🏳️🌈
Thank you, David, for everything you have done over the years. Enjoy your well-deserved retirement 👏👏
