Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

This amendment goes right to the core of what people who have been endeavouring to put forward a counter balance to the debate on this Bill have been saying for a long time. The Minister has been saying the same thing. In other words, the civil partnership Bill is not marriage. The reason for that is that marriage as we understand it is protected within the Constitution. If we were to conflict with that, it is evident we would require a referendum. If we had a referendum, there really would be a full and comprehensive public debate on this Bill and its import.

At the same time, we are sending a message to the people that we are talking about civil status. It is important we differentiate between marital status and civil partnership status in the legislation. I cannot understand how anyone who supports this Bill, on the basis the Minister put it to us, could disagree with this amendment. In many ways, it would remove much of the confusion and misunderstanding that exists.

I am also surprised that it takes an amendment to highlight these issues. Considering the matters we have been discussing in regard to the Constitution, one would have thought we would have embraced those very same points within the legislation when it came to us. For that reason, I support this amendment. I hope that even at this late stage, it will be possible for the Minister to understand the reason we have tabled this amendment and how it would help to clarify any misunderstanding among the public.