Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)

The proposal is to add the following wording as an addendum to the motion:

Seanad Éireann

(1) notes that

(a) it is an objective of the Government that Ireland fulfils its obligations under international law, including its obligations under the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms,

(b) Irish law takes account, in a number of ways, of non-marital relationships and the situation of unmarried parents,

(c) under Article 41.3.1° of the Constitution, the State pledges itself to guard with special care the institution of marriage, on which the family is founded, and to protect it against attack, and

(d) the Law Reform Commission, as part of its Second Programme of Law Reform which was approved by the Government, has recently published a Consultation Paper on Rights and Duties of Cohabitees and has invited persons to make submissions on this by 30 September 2004, and

(2) calls on the relevant members of the Government to keep the law on these matters under review and bring forward legislative proposals on them as appropriate.".

Is that agreed?