Rónán Mullen (Independent)

With the best will in the world, I do not think what the Minister suggests could be construed from the way the amendment and related amendments are worded. It could have no impact other than at the level of nomenclature, if that is the correct word to use. It is at that symbolic, cultural and messaging level the amendment would operate.

The Minister has indicated he perceives a deficiency in what has been proposed because he suggestesit might to lead to confusion. For example, people might give one answer under the heading of marital status and another under the heading of civil status. I have just heard the Minister's comments and do not know if that is a valid criticism of what Senator Walsh is concerned with. Does the Minister accept he cannot make that criticism of what I have proposed, that we substitute one phrase with another throughout the Bill? I do not see how the particular objection raised by him could possibly apply to the amendments I have proposed.