Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 8:

In page 15, line 24, to delete "may" and substitute "shall, on the commencement of this Act".

I was hoping the Minister would have examined since Committee Stage the matter of recognition of registered foreign relationships. The Bill, as drafted, states the Minister may, by order, declare that a class of legal relationship entered into by two parties of the same sex is entitled to be recognised as a civil partnership under the law of the jurisdiction in which the legal relationship was entered into if various criteria included in the Bill are met. If the Minister may do it, then the Minister may not do it and I have a problem with that. If the Minister may not do it there is an element of uncertainty. It is important that the Minister immediately declare the class of relationships currently entitled to recognition and, at the same time as we complete the Bill, lay an order before the Houses of the Oireachtas. Many gay couples have registered or married abroad and they need immediate clarity on the status of their relationships and their recognition in this jurisdiction. It is incumbent on the Minister to declare the various classes to which recognition will be forthcoming rather than having a situation which, under the current reading, is less than certain.

See this speech in context