Denise Mitchell (Dublin Bay North, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Bill. The move to address a long-standing inequality in the law is positive. It is a pity that it took a court case to force the Government to make these changes. I commend Mr. O'Meara on taking that case. The loss of a loved partner is the same if a partner is married or unmarried. The grief felt by the family is the same and therefore the rights and entitlements should be the same. It is more important than ever that these rights are enshrined in law for cohabiting couples simply because it is far more common today for couples to cohabit than to marry.

I am concerned that the Bill will only backdate payments to the date of the court ruling in January 2024. For years before that ruling, many people found themselves excluded from the widow's or widower's pension.

I understand the need to have a specific start date but I put it to the Minister that bereaved partners and their families who are not entitled to that pension are caused real and significant financial problems, whether that be with regard to housing costs, the cost of childcare, or even a parent having to give up their job. I urge the Government to examine the possibility of some sort of mechanism or a group to examine these cases and particularly the cases where there is significant hardship involved.

Treoir, which represents unmarried parents, has been largely positive about this Bill but has raised some concerns around consultation. Treoir, of all people, would have better insight into particular scenarios that the Minister or I would probably not consider. Consultation with the group is really very important.

We need to see this legislation enacted quickly. In the meantime, as we wait for this to pass through the Houses, it is important to make sure those people are looked after. Those who are waiting for this legislation to be passed need to not wait that long. People are suffering significant financial issues so maybe there is a way we can look at supporting these people while we wait for this Bill to pass. It is really positive to see this Bill before the House.

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