Caít Keane (Fine Gael)

I listened to Senator Zappone but it is not today that it went forth from this Chamber that children of civil partners were treated differently, but the day the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill was passed. As we are dealing with a finance Bill today, the Minister's hands are tied. Rather than this Minister putting out a new message, it is an old message that Senator Zappone is enunciating today. It was a flaw in the previous Bill. The recommendation refers to a civil partner pursuant to a maintenance arrangement. It is a good recommendation but, as the Minister has outlined, it is not possible to amend the Finance Act because of the civil partnership legislation. The avenue that should be examined is the amendment of the civil partnership legislation. Perhaps that could be considered before the Finance Bill next February.