Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

I am glad to contribute to the debate on this Bill. It is an important step forward in family law legislation, recognising same-sex couples, their rights as well as their responsibilities and the State's obligation to them. There is a strong consensus with and welcoming of the Bill's provisions. All parties have put forward proposals in this area such as former Fine Gael Senator, Sheila Terry, who introduced civil partnership proposals in 2004.

I have received much communication from constituents on the Bill's provisions. Although it is broadly welcomed, some believe it does not go far enough while others recognise it is an important step forward. The 2006 census estimated there were 2,090 same-sex cohabiting couples, one third of whom had children. I am sure that figure has risen somewhat since then. Existing law makes little provision for the increasing number of cohabiting same-sex couples. Ireland is not unique or the first to introduce civil partnership legislation. In 2005, the UK and Northern Ireland introduced legislation recognising civil partnerships while Denmark, Iceland, Finland, Germany, Switzerland and Slovenia introduced similar legislation. Some countries have gone further by legislating for same-sex marriage.

This issue is a concern for some people. The Minister stated: "The Attorney General has advised in particular that to comply with the Constitution, it is necessary to differentiate the recognition being accorded to same-sex couples who register their partnership with the special recognition accorded under the Constitution to persons of the opposite sex who marry." Some people who have contacted me believe the legislation does not go far enough and they ultimately want to see same-sex marriage introduced.

The legislation, however, is an important step forward in giving same-sex couples who have committed to one another the opportunity to declare their commitment before the law and the State. It will grant rights as well as obligations under civil law. While introducing the civil partnership registration scheme, it also introduces a cohabitation scheme. This provision has not been widely acknowledged, overshadowed as it is by the former provision.

See this speech in context