David Norris (Independent)

I support the thoughtful amendment tabled by Senator Fitzgerald because she used the correct word when she mentioned accountability. For the Houses of the Oireachtas to operate effectively it is important we have access to all the information on a factual basis.

Senator Fitzgerald expressed some hesitation and did not seem completely sure the amendment would be accepted and would not be ruled out of order because it could have been as I have no doubt it creates a charge on the Exchequer. It must do so because one would have to prepare, print, publish and issue a report. A number of amendments have been knocked out because they would cause a charge on the Exchequer. This amendment plainly does but for some reason, perhaps because it is an interesting subject to discuss, it has been accepted.

I mention this because the amendments that have been ruled out of order were important, for example, the one on couples. I would have welcomed the opportunity to again say to the Minister of State, Deputy Brady, that I welcome the interesting development of accepting same sex couples and so on. It would have been useful for me because in this House I have been accused of being sectarian and not accepting the views of the Roman Catholic Church. It has made a strong case for the acceptance of people outside marital relationships of various kinds, such as siblings who are living together. This kind of thing exists all over the country, where elderly people, such as two brothers or sisters, are living on an old farm up on the hill in Kerry, Leitrim or wherever. I have no difficulty whatsoever in saying such people should be covered, but I would protect and ring-fence the radical change here, which is the redefinition of "couple" to include same sex couples. I did not have the opportunity to say that because of the prohibition on this amendment.

I again highlight the fact that sometimes these decisions are absurdly exclusionary or inclusionary, but I welcome the inclusion of this amendment although I have no doubt there is a charge, small though it may be. Technically, this amendment could have been ruled out of order. I am very glad it was not and I compliment Senator Fitzgerald.