David Norris (Independent)

As someone who has been here all day and who has taken part in all of the discussion on the Bill, I would like to act in accordance with the traditions of the House and pay tribute to the contributions of Members on all sides of the House, who made this important debate come alive. Every side of the House was involved - Fine Gael, the Labour Party, Fianna Fáil, the Green Party and Independent Members - and together we have made a contribution to the Bill to which the Minister listened. I say this in a non-partisan way, but I regret that we could not affect the universal social charge. This is an issue that is deeply worrying and I hope the positive sentiments expressed by Members regarding the most vulnerable people in the country will be made good by the incoming government. Members have certainly given hostages to fortune here on the record of the House.

I have voted with my colleagues on every recommendation, but I am realistic and know if I had voted with the Government, it would not have made any difference. Unlike one vote where one of my colleagues made a difference, my vote did not make a difference. However, I wanted to give moral support to the operation of politics in this country, which is important. It was necessary that this Bill go through, since the gun had been put to our head and it had to be passed. I very much wish there had been more reflection - I almost said "mature reflection" - on this matter. However, I accept what the Minister said and would like to place that on the record. I accept that the civil servants involved in the preparation of the Finance Bill worked hard on the amendments which flowed from the passage of the civil partnership Bill, but there was not time to have them prepared for this. I was told the amendments were not prepared, which was technically true, but it is important to make it clear this makes no slur on the civil servants. They were working hard on the issues and a matter of a week or two would have meant they would have had the amendments prepared.

We need not feel that we have wasted our time here in empty debate, because many points were taken up which will be adhered to by the incoming government. One thing has happened, namely, that those people who will enter into civil partnership when the Act commences in April will be in a situation where that will be made retrospective. Therefore, they will not be penalised in taxation terms. I salute the Minister who, with his legal knowledge, went to the trouble of placing that on the record of the House so that it can be done. This may appear small to some people, but it was a factual and real achievement of this House, which will have an impact on people's lives. That is what policy is all about. Without those amendments, the civil partnership Bill would be to a certain extent an empty letter. It would give people licence for a party or celebration, which is wonderful, but it would not give them any practical advantage or increase in their human and civil rights. I think we have done a good days work and I hope we will end in amity and dignity and go out to fight the election on issues rather than personalities.