Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

The Order of Business is agreed as far as Fine Gael is concerned. As the Leader knows, we will conclude our consideration of Report Stage of the European Convention on Human Rights Bill 2001 later today. Last week Dr. Maureen Gaffney and her colleagues at the National Economic and Social Forum produced a fine report on the lack of rights given to same sex couples. The report included a number of recommendations concerning the rights of such couples. It suggested that such people should have the right to adequate pension and inheritance cover and that such partnerships should have civil recognition. It was found last week that 9% of the population of the State were unmarried but cohabiting. This specific group, which is growing all the time, is given very few rights in the community.