Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

The Parental Leave (Amendment) Act 2006 extended the force majeure leave entitlement from the 1998 Act to employees in respect of persons, including same sex partners, with whom they have a degree of domestic dependency. That was another step forward that was taken by this Government, rather than the Labour Party. The decision to allow gay couples to take force majeure leave delivered on the commitment in the 2002 programme for Government to strengthen the parental leave scheme in accordance with the recommendations of the social partners. Such important incremental improvements provide clear evidence of the Government's ongoing commitment to achieving greater fairness in the law relating to cohabiting couples, regardless of whether they are same sex or opposite sex. In continuing this policy, the Government has ordered a root and branch review of all statutory and non-statutory schemes under the Department of Social and Family Affairs to ensure they do not have any unanticipated negative impact on those who are protected under the nine grounds of discrimination which are set out in our equality legislation.

In addition to legislative changes, this Government has expressed its commitment to full equality in society for gay and lesbian people in a number of other practical ways. The Government has undertaken initiatives to foster informed public debate on issues of concern to gay, lesbian and bisexual people, including the legal recognition, rights and duties of cohabitants. In 2002, in response to a commitment by the social partners in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, the NESF undertook a study to identify barriers and opportunities to implementing policies to promote equality for gay, lesbian and bisexual people. This study was based on consultations held with representatives of the relevant community and voluntary sector organisations, notably LGB groups and women's organisations, employer and trade union interests and representatives from Departments and State agencies.

My Department is funding a post of liaison policy and equality implementation officer in the gay and lesbian equality network, GLEN, under a well-known three year programme. The Department of Health and Children has funded Gay HIV Strategies, a programme operated by GLEN to combat HIV infection among gay men. The Department of Education and Science funds projects managed by Belong To, a youth group for gays and lesbians.

This Government has not been standing still on the question of full equality for gay and lesbian people. Among the next steps is the extension of legal recognition to gay couples and other couples in domestic relationships. The suggestion that we are hypocritical and have done nothing is wholly untrue. The reality is that nothing was done by the previous Government and everything that has been done has been done in the lifetime of this Government. This should not be forgotten. Every single last thing by way of progress——

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