Ivana Bacik (Independent)

I pay tribute to Senator Zappone. It is welcome that the Minister has accepted that the recommendation raises an issue which needs to be addressed. I apologise for going off on a tangent about the judicial separation regime, which is a different issue, albeit one which I always considered to be a feature of the absence of divorce in this country. It is important that we ensure individuals are covered in the period where there has not, as yet, been a formal dissolution of the civil partnership under the 2010 Act. This important principle is at issue in the recommendation proposed by Senator Zappone. It would be useful if the recommendation were adopted or at least reviewed with a view to adoption before December. I await the Minister's comments on the matter.