Jim D'Arcy (Fine Gael)

No, this is very important. I am addressing my remarks to the Leader. If we are to establish a true republic in the 21st century, we need to support and affirm diversity and more away from the closed society which has caused so many problems for our country. This organisation has asked me to pass on its members gratitude and admiration to the members of this Seanad who have supported amendments on the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010 in favour of equal treatment for civil partners and the taxation changes in the Finance (No. 3) Bill 2011. This Seanad can be used as a forum for the new republic and I ask the Leader to bear that in mind when framing the debates in the Chamber.