Rónán Mullen (Independent)

I would like to refer briefly to a point raised by Senator Norris who wastes no opportunity to suggest the church is somehow above the law in certain areas. That is not true. The legislation on equality in employment has been drafted to allow organisations in the health and education sectors to protect their ethos. Nothing could be more consonant with reason than this. For that reason, there is good reason to ask that the civil partnership legislation that will be brought before this House be examined closely also. It would facilitate an inclusive society in which rights would be provided. People with conscientious difficulties would be accommodated as far as possible. This is about tolerance and a genuine spirit of liberalism which I hope will prevail in the debate on the subject in the new year.