Feargal Quinn (Independent)

I remind the House that I supported what became the civil partnership Act when it was being debated. However, I also supported some of the amendments relating to it that were lost. One of the amendments I wished to support was that to which Senator Mullen referred. I think the Senator is correct in saying that if we are going to make an exception for civil partners, then we must ensure we also include other loving couples. I refer, for example, to people who could be siblings, children and others. Senator Mullen is correct, on this occasion, in stating that what is proposed seems too simple a solution to the problem before us. I understand from the Minister that it is intended to overcome the problem to which I refer in a more subtle way in the finance (No. 2) Bill.