Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

It has been the practice for State benefits in the medical card area and in other areas like housing to treat cohabiting couples on the same basis as married couples for many reasons. In the early part of the new year I hope the House will deal with the civil union Bill which will address issues relating to same-sex couples and bring equality there. In all this we need to be conscious of the Equality Act and the Equal Status Act. Therefore, much as one may wish to do so, we are not at liberty to treat a widow or widower in a different way from a single person. If somebody never married and lived side-by-side with somebody who became widowed——

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