Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In relation to the O'Meara case, we will need legislation on that. We are considering the judgment, which is about 160 pages in length. I should point out that the judgment was made on equality grounds. Sadly, the court confirmed that it does not see Mr. O'Meara's family as a family under our Constitution and nor can the State. That is another reason why we need to change the Constitution. I want to acknowledge the loss and bereavement he has suffered and I know that no payment from the State can make up for that loss but we will make the payment, provide refunds to others and change the practice going forward. That will require legislation and amendments to the Social Welfare Acts to recognise other cohabiting couples but that will not be straight forward. We will have to decide on things like how long the person is cohabiting, whether we treat cohabiting people with children differently and all of those complicated things. We will have to do it and work it out but it is all the more reason to pass the referendum.

On small businesses, we will be happy to have a debate on that next week during Private Member's time. I am also happy to pass on the request to the Minister for agriculture, Deputy McConalogue, on fishery negotiations.

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