Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I appreciate the Minister of State's answer. That people might have mutual affection for each other and should not expect to be rewarded with a salary is quite an appalling suggestion to come from the Department of Social and Family Affairs. Under the nine grounds cited in the Equal Status Act, this is discrimination on the grounds of marriage.

One issue with which I did not deal and which I will not discuss at length now, namely, the idea of forming a partnership which involves allocating a salary, capital and part of the business, is completely and utterly wrong. It is discriminatory and unacceptable and affects many people unfairly.