Ivana Bacik (Independent)

I welcome the amendments to the Bill, on which we have had a full debate. We were conscious that a wide range of issues were covered and the amendments also cover a similar range of issues.

With regard to Senator Denis O'Donovan's comment on codification, I raised this issue with the Minister in the context of this legislation because it is a hobby horse of mine. Having endless miscellaneous provisions Bills is not the best way to reform the law, although I accept that is the way we tend to do it and that piecemeal reform of different areas of law is necessary. I welcome the reforms in this legislation, but the codification project initiative on criminal law initiated by a previous Minister, as Senator Denis O'Donovan said, is worth continuing. I could not see where it was at the last time I checked. Perhaps the Minister has information on it. UCD had a team examining how to go about the project and a report was produced last year, but I do not know what the current position is.

I particularly welcome amendment No. 14 concerning citizenship and civil partnership which will have a profound effect on the lives of persons who have entered civil partnership with those who are not Irish citizens. Once they fulfil the conditions, they will have the right to apply for citizenship. I echo the comments Senator Katherine Zappone in welcoming the amendment. Like Senator Denis O'Donovan, I welcome the Minister's signing of the vetting provision.