Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I think it is a very optimistic sign in what is often a bleak political landscape at present across Europe.

I would like to welcome one aspect of the scheme of the social welfare and pensions Bill, as published by the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, last night. Colleagues will be interested to know that head 14 of the scheme mirrors the Seanad Private Members' Bill I introduced on behalf of the Labour Party group on 22 March last. They might recall that my Bill - the Pensions (Equal Pension Treatment in Occupational Benefit Scheme) (Amendment) Bill 2016 - sought to address the real discrimination that was highlighted in the case that Dr. David Parris brought before the European Court of Justice. The court refused to rule against Ireland in the case, which related to a pension scheme that required people to have married before the age of 60 in order for their spouse or partner to qualify for survivor's pension. Dr. Parris was unable to marry before that age because marriage equality had not yet been introduced. The Bill I introduced earlier this year sought to address the cases of a small number of LGBT couples who are continuing to face discrimination in Ireland in terms of pension benefits. I am delighted that the Minister has accepted the wording of our Bill and has incorporated it into head 14 of the social welfare and pensions Bill. This is a big win for the Seanad and an important step on the road to equality for LGBT couples with regard to the legacy issue of discrimination on pension rights. I thank my colleagues, particularly Senators Buttimer and Norris, for supporting this Bill. I know Senator Norris has worked on this issue for a long time.

I join other Senators in calling for the Minister for Justice and Equality to come to this House for a debate on Garda mismanagement. It is clear from last night's edition of "Prime Time" and the revelations at last week's meeting of the Committee of Public Accounts that there is a discrepancy between the various accounts of what happened in 2015 between John Barrett, who is the civilian head of human resources in the Garda Síochána, and the Garda Commissioner, Nóirín O'Sullivan. Her position is untenable. Fianna Fáil seems to be calling for her to go while stopping short of actually pulling the plug as it could do. I ask the Leader to invite the Minister to come to this House to address this tension. The mismanagement of accounts at the Garda College in Templemore, as highlighted by Deputy Kelly, is just one aspect of the real structural problems within An Garda Síochána. As we know, many other issues have come to light in recent months. I welcome the appointment of Kathleen O'Toole to lead the root-and-branch review. We need to see a review as fundamental as the review of the RUC in Northern Ireland which was initiated by Chris Patten and which led to the foundation of the PSNI. That is how serious the structural issue we are dealing with is.

The Stephen Fry case that came to light over the weekend highlights the ridiculous nature of our law on blasphemy.