David Norris (Independent)

I will table this matter as an amendment to the Order of Business. I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that the Civil Partnership Bill 2004 be taken.

In support of my argument, I remind the House that I am a member of a family which was here when St. Patrick arrived on the island. I am pretty Irish and I do not need to be lectured about Irishness by anybody as to what is and is not Irish. I am not going to be defined as having second-class citizenship by any person, Member of this House, the other House or the Irish public or told that my relationships, if they are dignified by law, are going to be put by the likes of Deputy Martin Mansergh and Senators in this House at the level of a dog licence. If to teach people that I will not accept this and that I will get full citizenship eventually——