Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

I do not propose to accept the amendment. The reason is the preparation of the Civil Partnership Bill which, as the Senator knows, is due to be published early next year. It will give civil partnership registration for same sex couples and will also confer a range of rights and obligations. I intend, following the passing of that Bill, to ensure equivalent social welfare treatment will be extended in a future Social Welfare Bill to the category the Senator is talking about. It is appropriate at this stage, given how advanced the Civil Partnership Bill is, to wait until the issue is dealt with in that.