The two laws have now passed through the Oireachtas after being approved by the Dáil.

Michael D. Higgins, the president, will now be asked to sign them.

Less than five senators opposed either of the legislation, thus they were passed today without a vote.

The senators sparred during this afternoon's heated debate, and after Cathaoirleach Jerry Buttimer intervened, one claim of lying was dropped.

Article 41.1.1 of the Constitution would have the phrase "whether founded on marriage or on other durable relationships" added by the 39th Amendment.

Additionally, Article 41.3.1's "on which the Family is founded" would be removed.

Senator Michael McDowell drew attention to the legal mandate that a married parent who starts a new family must provide for their former family.

He voiced his confusion and worry that long-term relationships are exempt from this criterion.

The absence of a definition of a durable relationship in the bill drew criticism from a number of senators.

This was "effectively handing over an essentially legislative power to the judiciary," according to Mr. McDowell.

Senator Lynn Ruane, an independent, charged Mr. McDowell with "creating this confusion or illusion" that the passage of the changes would mean the elimination of protections for women.

"The only one being removed is the one that tells them where their place is," she stated. "I've seen lots of people just walk out of home."

Senator Mary Seery-Kearney of Fine Gael concurred. She continued by saying that, in her professional experience, marriage did not entitle one to legal protection in the event of a breakup.

She also critiqued the absence of a definition for long-lasting partnerships, stating that it is something we cannot take lightly. It requires sensitivity in our interpretation."

According to Minister for Children Roderic O'Gorman, the government has a "clear intention" to include the parent-child tie in permanent relationships.

He went on to say that the "strong concepts" currently included in Article 40 serve as "guardrails" by expanding the definition of family to include, among other things, a fundamental social unit.

Article 42B, which states: "The State recognises that the provision of care, by members of a family to one another by reason of the bonds that exist among them, gives to society a support without which the common good cannot be achieved, and shall strive to support such provision," is proposed to replace Article 41.2 in the 40th Amendment.

"A concern about the unintended consequences" of involving community volunteers was expressed by Minister O'Gorman.

Nonetheless, he said that the bill "is a meaningful step forward".

Senator Alice-Mary Higgins of Labour suggested the creation of a roadmap outlining the precise nature of the support that would be given.

Regarding the language, she observed, "It lacks generosity in going as far as it should."

Senator Pauline O'Reilly of the Green Party underlined the need of eliminating sexist language from the Constitution while endorsing the new phrasing.