Interest groups which made submissions to the All Party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution were unified in their dissatisfaction yesterday, but for very different reasons.
For gay rights activists, the committee's report did not go far enough. But for conservative campaigners it went too far in allegedly "undermining" the family based on marriage.
Keith O'Malley, chief executive of the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network, said: "We would have hoped there would be some leadership on this issue, and they would come up with conclusions reflecting a more open and tolerant Ireland."
By recommending that same-sex couples be excluded from a "presumption" of legal protection, the committee was "widening the gap" between such people and heterosexual couples.
Gay peer-education group Johnny criticised the committee for not recommending a "more inclusive definition of family". However, it described as a "hugely significant achievement" the proposals for greater equity in the area of taxation for cohabiting couples, and the possibility of civil partnerships to include same-sex couples.
In contrast, the National Men's Council of Ireland said the report if implemented would further undermine "traditional" marriage, as well as marginalise the rights of married fathers.
Criticising the proposal to strengthen children's rights, the group's chairman, Roger Eldridge, said: "Married people should realise this is the thin end of the wedge, and soon they will have very little say over what happens to their children, in relation to education and health services, for example.
"There is a presumption in family law that the welfare of children is best served by being brought up by their parents. The committee is recommending that the State should be the authority over children and not their parents."
