Eoghan Harris (Independent)

I wish to be associated with Senator Fitzgerald's remarks on the civil partnership Bill. I will not go into the substance of it. This is one of these landmark discussions like the discussion about Articles 2 and 3, which arouse deep crises of conscience for people. Had everybody in our history behaved as per his or her conscience there would have been no peace process. Many people put their consciences in their pockets and acted in terms of representing republican democracy in dealing with the peace process. I appeal to Senators on both sides not to go into competitive posturing.