Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

I join the Minister in welcoming the passing of this very important legislation which we have been debating for several months, not in the glare of the media but in a manner that has been comprehensive. It represents an important step forward for persons in our community who were discriminated against for many years. It is a lengthy Bill of 118 pages and 205 sections and includes a lengthy Schedule of five Parts. Its provisions amend up to 130 other items of legislation in order to provide protection in law for civil partners of the same sex and cohabiting couples whether of the same sex or opposite sexes.

We have built on three important reports, namely, the Colley report, consequent on the working group of the same name, the Law Reform Commission report, and the report of the Joint Committee on the Constitution. The two main planks of the Bill are the concept of registered civil partnership for same-sex couples and legal protection for cohabitants. I thank the Minister for Justice and Law Reform for the manner in which the debate was conducted on Second Stage, in terms of the length of time allocated for the debate and the opportunity afforded every Member to comment on every aspect of the legislation, for the detailed debate on Committee Stage, and for the Report Stage debate that has just concluded.

It only remains for me, as the Bill departs this House, to wish it a speedy passage through the Seanad. I hope it will be on the Statute Book, activated and commenced, at the earliest opportunity. I am conscious of what the Minister said this evening about the need for consequential legislation in the areas of taxation and social welfare. I would not like to see any impediment to the enactment of the Bill resulting from delay or tardiness on the part of other Departments. It is absolutely essential that having deliberated in this Chamber, the changes in the tax code and the social welfare system that are consequential on what we have done here are implemented at the earliest opportunity so that the Bill can commence.

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