Cathal Byrne (Fine Gael)

I place on the record my support for this Bill. It is important that this House, as a Chamber representing people throughout the country, takes stock of the fact there are now so many people living together as a committed couple in the context of a relationship that is cohabitant, which traditionally might have been a married couple. Society has moved on. It is very important that everybody in this Chamber takes stock of that, reflects on it and incorporates into it the fact that if somebody's partner is bereaved, and, as we saw, a case was taken before the Supreme Court on this, that person is not in the same position as that of a married couple. I certainly support this. It is important that it passes and, hopefully, as is apparent, it looks like it will. Any opportunity for this House to change the law in an area where individuals are ahead of the law is certainly something that is worthwhile.