Press release
Statement by Hildegarde Naughton TD on the passing of Mervyn Taylor
Published on
Last updated on
Published on
Last updated on
"I want to express my sadness upon the passing of former TD and Minister, Mervyn Taylor.
"As a pioneering Minister for Equality and Law Reform between 1993 and 1997, he will rightly be long remembered for steering the referendum that allowed for the introduction of divorce in Ireland, allowing people to rebuild their lives after unsuccessful marriages.
"He also initiated the Employment Equality and Equal Status Acts in the Oireachtas, and enacted an amendment to the Interpretation Act to promote gender inclusive language.
"His record as a Minister, and his service as a member of the Human Rights Commission, contributed substantially to greater levels of equality in Irish society, a contribution that will last long into the future.
"I would like to extend my condolences to his friends and family. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h'anam dílis."