Morning all - live feed of committee room 2 is available here.
asx.heanet.ie
And we're off
Can't get Oireachtas stream, so #cpbill livebloggers do us proud. I'm counting on yiz for updates!
First list of amendments is still being used
www.oireachtas.ie - second list (cohabitation etc.) is here
www.oireachtas.ie
Jeez, we haven't even got the right to a civil partnership/marriage, and we're already onto money, wealth, property and divorce!
Trevor Sargent is in the house this morning, as is Denis Naughten FG- who is asking about where the CP ceremonies will be able to taken place. Charles Flanagan and Brendan Howlin are also there.
Naughtan raises issue of immigration implications and settings in which a CP ceremony can or cannot be held. Can only be held in settings where no religious ceremonies cannot be held.
Minister claims ceremony issues were dealt with. Religious are not forced to hold ceremonies "it's a matter for themselves". Immigration issue "same as spouses".
Who was that last speaker? Someone is in on Iona biz this morning stirring it.
Minister now saying that substitutions can be made locally if people have problems doing the ceremonies? Ah here now...
Minister says it is possible for a registrar who doesn't want to do a CP ceremony can substitute with a colleague. But employees of the public service have to abide by the laws of the oireachtas... not clear response.
Ok that's Noel Treacy who is busy about the conscientious objectors business this morning.
Howlin takes up the point, all people are obliged to comply. We ALSO need to emphasize that ALL WORKERS must comply with equality legislation, i.e. noboby can refuse work.
Brendan Howlin making point on Equal Status Bill (wrong date on the bill Ahern corrects him. )
Breach of constitutional rights could be cited if someone is refused a service, i.e. the State could be sued. A very good case says Minister.
"CP is entirely a secular concept. Naughten
Naughten: law cannot countenance any "opt out" in our society.
That's Charles Flanagan FG defending the bill and equality now
"Our laws would completely unravel..." (if people didn't obey the law) Oh my!!
Noel Tracey - has not read the bill or followed the debate until now - or else he's playing a game for his constituents...
LOL at a bank official refusing to open a joint bank account!!! (What about a husband who's a bank official?)
LOL @ LP
Howlin. domestic violence. Seek to delete the word "committed". Define commitment???
Amdt 170 On domestic violence - how does one measure commitment asks Charles Flanagan
Intimate relationship may not mean sexual, but must have been sexual at some point. A deceased cohabitant?
They're really struggling with "sexual"! Surely "committed" is to be defined by the couple involved!
Who is this person yakking on? Having to switch between screens?
decent docile people!! LOL - maybe a rethink on the wording?
Oh no, bachelors, sisters, etc. Deputy Treacy... you DON'T understand!
Minister says there is some redress for qualified cohabitants.
The term "committed" - no definition (10.36am) says the minister... subsection 2 ... i.e. Minister refers the issue to the courts as to whether people are committed?? FFS. Doesn't a CP mean they are committed? Can't use committed as in 'normal' circumstances? Sorry did he just refer to same-sex relationships as less than being husband and wife?
Provide redress NOT AS RIGHT but the RIGHT TO GO TO COURT?
Oh it was Mulcahy who opened this can of worms.
Siblings - have already got significant legislation to protect them under law (10.39) Minister. Gift/ inheritance tax, etc. Finance Acts, 1991; 1994; 2001., etc. 2003 Act section 83 re@ siblings exemptions. To provide access for siblings would interfere with constitutional rights. Would be "unawarranted intrusion into "normal" familial" settings (I note Minister stops reading a statement, maybe realises the legal language, offensive).
Minister taking out all the domestic violence issues in the Misc Provisions Bill, which is imminent. Advice of AG. (10.44am)