Ivana Bacik (Independent)

-----and as mentioned by Senator Hayden, the five year provision is relatively rigorous. At least one marriage must have been registered for more than five years prior to the application.

The definition of "philosophical and non-confessional body" was taken from the Lisbon treaty. The definition of "philosophical" is clear enough. As I understand it, "non-confessional" means that the body is a body which does not take confessions from its members. In other words it does not apply sacraments. It is I suppose another way of saying it is a non-religious body. It is a definition I favoured because it is clearly set out already in European law and appears to be an objective definition in respect of groups such as the humanists.