Seanad Report: Following a storm of protest by the Opposition the Government did not proceed last night with a move to vote down the Civil Partnership Bill introduced by Mr David Norris.
A Government amendment asked the House to decline a second reading of the Bill in order to permit further consideration of important legal and constitutional issues.
It listed these as the resolution of current litigation regarding the recognition of a foreign "same sex" marriage; finalisation by the all-party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution of its examination of articles relating to the family; and, publication of the Report of the Law Reform Commission on the Right and Duties of Co-habitees.
Denouncing the amendment ahead of the scheduled debate Mr Norris said it was a black day for Seanad Éireann.
He added that he intended to withdraw the Bill. "That would be the best thing for me to do, rather than initiating a meaningless debate that would be an insult to me and an insult to the many people who would benefit from the Civil Partnership Bill 2004, including people in heterosexual relationships outside marriage. To impose a guillotine on such an important measure was contrary to the tradition of the House."
Mr Joe O'Toole (Ind) said it was an absolute disgrace that a weasel-worded amendment had been tabled to put to the sword two years' hard work on the part of Mr Norris.
Mr Brian Hayes, Fine Gael leader in the House, said it was one of the shabbiest amendments he had ever read. The courts wanted them as legislators to take responsibility in this area of social behaviour. "They don't want this matter hived off," he added, urging the Government to rethink its attitude to the Bill.
Ms Kathleen O'Meara (Lab) said the Government was in effect running away from the opportunity to discuss these issues.
Mr John Dardis (PD), deputy Government leader in the House, said it would be entirely wrong to bring forward legislation before the Committee on the Constitution had concluded its deliberations. Dr Martin Mansergh (FF) said it was an extraordinary notion that they could not divide in the House on social legislation.
Ms Sheila Terry (FG) said she was deeply concerned about the way in which the Government parties were dealing with the democratic workings of the House.
Mr John Hanafin (FF) said he was intrigued that the Government side was being accused of behaving undemocratically when it was not the one preventing a debate from being held.
Mr Shane Ross (Ind) said that the word "decline" in the Government amendment was immensely offensive.
The leader of the House, Mrs Mary O'Rourke, said she rejected the claims that the amendment was shabby or bogus; it was based on the realities of the current situation. She agreed to look at suggestions on how agreement could be reached on the terms for a debate.
It was later agreed that the debate would proceed and the amendment would remain on the order paper.