Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)

I commend my colleague, Deputy Howlin, on introducing this Bill. I am very proud to be a member of the Labour Party tonight. This Bill should have been introduced many years ago. Having governed for ten years, it is shameful that the equality agenda has not been advanced in any way at all by Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats Party.

I am absolutely amazed at the amendment that has been proposed by the Government. It is the biggest political fudge I have seen in a long time and the most misleading amendment one could make to any proposal. It is dishonest. It effectively states that it accepts the need for legislative reform for the recognition of civil partnerships to enable persons who are cohabiting in relationships of mutual dependency to make fair and reasonable provision for each other, and for other persons dependent on them and in their dealings with other persons. This sounds great. However, the amendment suggests that this may be unconstitutional, although our legal advisers clarified that it is not. The amendment then postpones the Second Reading of the Civil Unions Bill 2006 for six months. The Minister, who has just arrived in the House, knows perfectly well that this Bill will fall if that happens.

This amendment effectively misleads the House. Since the Ceann Comhairle often tells us that we are not allowed to mislead the House, he should rule against this amendment as that is what it does.

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