David Norris (Independent)

However, Maureen Gaffney was interviewed on the radio this morning by Marian Finucane and she discussed it in some detail. The principal issue is that this independent body will make strong recommendations to Government that there should be legislation along the lines of domestic partnerships. As I said previously, the House could play a role in that regard. I have convened a small committee which is trying to prepare legislation.

Would it be possible to make some level of assistance available from the parliamentary counsel's office so that, at the very least, we could put our amateur effort to the test by requesting that it be scrutinised? This is quite important if we want the House to be energetic, particularly in terms of legislative proposals coming from different sections of it. If that is the case, then we should have some technical assistance because, while I am certainly not overburdened by modesty, I do not regard myself as competent in the area of parliamentary drafting.

I agree with what has been said about the tribunals. It seems absolutely insane. The Flood tribunal has been going on for six or seven years and it is contemplating another 15.