Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

I wish to reply to a point raised by Deputy McCormack that I omitted to answer but, first, I wish to comment on Deputy Flanagan's last point. Thirty speakers contributed to the debate on Second Stage in this Chamber. There was a significant debate on this Bill in Committee, at which some members of the media were present, albeit from one or perhaps two newspapers, and RTE and others may have been following the debate. Therefore, it is not our fault that this Bill was not widely discussed by the public.

I advise Deputy McCormack that the cohabitation scheme is for non-marital, heterosexual and same sex couples. It kicks in after a period of five years if there are no children and two years if there are children.

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