Ivana Bacik (Independent)

I drafted amendments that would have extended the reach of the Bill to cover other grounds of discrimination, including gender, family status - which deals with the Eileen Flynn issue - and disability. Having listened to the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, and Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Quinn, I accept that there is a need for more time and consideration of the correct framing of legislation to deal effectively with this exemption, which we are all agreed should be removed. I particularly want the Minister, Department and commission to have time to consider the more radical proposition put forward by Senator Zappone, namely, that the offending section in its entirety be deleted. This would be by far the preferable model if it would pass constitutional muster.

I agree with others that there is immense goodwill on the Government side in relation to this Bill. The Minister, Deputy Quinn, has publicly stated his support for the spirit of it. All of us support it in spirit. It is in the spirit of goodwill and of working together in the Seanad that we would prefer no division on this matter, although I accept that is Senator Power's prerogative. It would be a pity if we were to divide the House on an issue on which we are all agreed, in particular in light of the firm commitments given. A historic precedent was set in the Seanad today in terms of acceptance by the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Burton, of a Private Members' Bill, the Civil Registration (Amendment) Bill 2012, to legalise humanist weddings, which I introduced. That Bill will now go before the Dáil as a Government Bill. Another Private Members' Bill, which I introduced, on the prohibition of female genital mutilation was accepted in spirit by former Minister, Mary Harney. I did not call a vote on that Bill and was glad I did not do so because the Government investigated the matter further, following which it produced a much more robust Bill which is now an Act. That is the way the Seanad works best. I welcome Senator Power's initiative. It would be great to see this legislation go forward as a Government Bill. We will hold the Minister to the introduction of his proposal in January.