Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)

I thank the Minister and his colleagues for their support, but this is just the first step and we wish to see related equality issues addressed. This step is a clear pledge to prepare the heads of a Bill by next March. We intend to ensure that legislation makes its way on to the Statute Book as quickly as possible thereafter.

I salute the Labour Party's efforts to keep this issue on the public agenda, but this measure is flawed. The Attorney General's clear advice is that the measure would not withstand a legal challenge because it clashes fundamentally with Article 41.3.1°.

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