Dan Boyle (Green Party)

I take this opportunity to respond to some of the requests made by the leaders of the other groups in respect of the current status of the civil partnership Bill. The position is largely unchanged. The Bill is being prepared and further discussion is taking place in respect of certain elements of it. The delay has occurred partly because of those ongoing discussions and also because there is a new Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform who is in the process of reading himself into his brief. We had hoped there would be a full consultation period that would run from the end of March or the beginning of April until the Bill's eventual publication. It is likely that the heads of the Bill will be forthcoming by the end of the summer session but this will shorten the consultation period. It is still hoped that the Bill will be published in September or October. There is still a firm commitment to the legislation becoming law with the agreement of both Houses.