Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)

I congratulate the Ceann Comhairle on being elected to the position.

No. 81 in section D of the legislative programme is the Civil Partnership Bill 2009. Its history began some time ago when prior to the 2007 general election a Bill was voted down by the former Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr. Michael McDowell. The Government gave an undertaking that it would bring forward legislation as a matter of urgency. There are many same-sex unions in the country and many of those in them are approaching an age in their life when they need to be able to put their affairs in order with regard to inheritance, property and visiting rights in hospitals. The Government has failed to accelerate the Bill, on which there is broad agreement. Why is it in section D? Does the Fianna Fáil and Green Party coalition see this as a matter of urgency?

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