Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)

The intention of amendments Nos. 1 and 2 is to expand the Title of the Act to ensure that mention is made of rights and obligations. I do not have a major problem with that. My only reservation is that we are dealing with a civil partnership Bill and that we have not gone as far as we should have with regard to marriage equality.

The amendments give a proper account of what is contained within the Bill, flawed as it is. The fact that the Minister mentions certain rights indicates that not all rights are transferred to those who, after the passage of this Bill, will enjoy civil partnership. The next step mentioned by a previous speaker needs to be taken to address the rights which are not enjoyed by people who will take part in civil partnership but who might want to enjoy all the rights that would accrue to them if they were allowed, in this State, to enjoy the rights and privileges of a civil marriage rather than the religious marriage, on which some of the characters at the gate would confuse the issue.

I particularly support the Minister's amendment No. 1 because it mentions certain rights.

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