Maurice Hayes (Independent)

Senator Norris will forgive me if I refer to Blackwood, who came from the Ards of Down to vote against the union. In this case, I came from the Ards of Down to vote for the union as proposed by Senator Norris.

I hope Senator Norris will participate in a debate on this subject. I came prepared to debate it and to vote for something along the lines of what he proposes to deal with an important and pressing social problem. It is not tremendously necessary to worry about the constitutional implications. It is a matter for the law of contract rather than family law and Senator Norris has been careful in framing this to avoid emotive terms like marriage and family.

Amendments are fine as long as they are not wrecking amendments. When I am told to wait for the resolution of current litigation, I worry that it might take years. Do we know when the reports of the All-Party Committee on the Constitution and the Law Reform Commission will be finalised? There must be a timescale and it would be a pity if the Seanad was seen to lack compassion for people who are caught in a difficult situation. Is it possible for Senator Norris and the Leader of the House to agree a form of words so the topic can be discussed and then opened up to these committees within a timescale so the House is seen to be compassionate on an important social issue and things are not rushed into? It is important that we have the type of debate only this House can have and that we have it this evening.