Civil Partnership Debate - Second Stage - December 3rd

Dáil debates Civil Partnership and Cohabitant Rights

I assume we're all looking forward to the #cpbill debate tomorrow? Who'll be along in the public gallery or at the demo?
by conorp via twitter at 12/2/2009 9:51:11 AM
@Paschald Great article, Senator. (http://tinyurl.ie/3u) #cpbill
by clicky_here via twitter at 12/2/2009 5:22:27 PM
RT Opposition to tabling of freedom of concience amendment to #cpbill - gr8post from @paschald http://tinyurl.ie/3u and http://tinyurl.ie/3v
by Raghallaigh via twitter at 12/2/2009 5:22:32 PM
Dermot Ahern to meet FF TD's tomorrow before Civil Partnership Bill to discuss differences http://bit.ly/8VViV4 #cpbill
by Suzy Byrne via twitter at 12/3/2009 12:21:51 AM
Ireland's Civil Partnership Bill and religious cop-outs: http://bit.ly/5i5k3S #lgbt (via @eurOut) /via @Ballindean
by leora1987 via twitter at 12/3/2009 2:02:10 AM
Good morning, i was going to say Happy #CPBill day but then not everyone is happy. Interesting day to be lesbian or gay though.
by Suzy Byrne via twitter at 12/3/2009 8:49:54 AM
Am really angry that they might include s concious objection clause in the #cpbill
by Raghallaigh via twitter at 12/3/2009 8:49:59 AM
Irelands Civil partnership bill is being debated in the Dáil (parliament) tonight. About time too
by boctweet via twitter at 12/3/2009 8:50:19 AM
Is civil partnership bill being debated today in dail?for all the gays sake I hope the gov magically turns it into a marriage equality bill
by Ruaidhri_M via twitter at 12/3/2009 8:50:25 AM
Blogpost from Gaelick presenting some of the the background www.gaelick.com
by Suzy Byrne at 12/3/2009 8:55:34 AM
Good morning, i was going to say Happy #CPBill day but then not everyone is happy. Interesting day to be lesbian or gay though.
by Suzy Byrne via twitter at 12/3/2009 8:57:10 AM
Will be on the watch for coverage during the day
by wendylimerick at 12/3/2009 8:59:39 AM
will be in the gallery...
by niamhvus at 12/3/2009 9:11:15 AM
Human Rights in Ireland Blog post humanrightsinireland.wordpress.com
by Suzy Byrne at 12/3/2009 9:15:48 AM
s.2(2)(e) of Civil Registration Act 2004 states that marriage is between male and female only. 1st time to appear in Irish statute. #cpbill
by gaelick via twitter at 12/3/2009 9:16:40 AM
Cllr Joe Ryan in Wexford on his views on #CPbill and Senator Jim Walsh in particular cllrjoeryan.blogspot.com
by Suzy Byrne at 12/3/2009 9:19:20 AM
Press Release from National Lesbian and Gay Federation

'Civil Partnership Option Flawed

NLGF Advocate for Civil Marriage Option for LGBT Community

Thursday, 3rd December 2009: Civil Partnership which is due for discussion in the Dail today is flawed, said the National Lesbian and Gay Federation. The organisation is instead calling for the immediate introduction of a Civil Marriage option which would give full rights to LGBT people.

Press Release from National Lesbian and Gay Federation In the recent NLGF report, Burning Issues, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people named equal marriage rights as their number one priority.

Ailbhe Smyth, Chairperson NLGF, said, “Burning Issues proved definitively that there is no appetite among the LGBT community for civil partnership. They recognise that not only will the bill deny them full rights, it will discriminate against them even further.”

She continued, “To ensure that LGBT people are treated equally in Ireland, the Government must move to provide equality by legislating for Civil Marriage. Currently LGBT people experience exploitation, harassment and violence on a daily basis. Civil partnership will fuel such anti-gay sentiments by signalling: ‘Yes, you are different’. The Government must admit that provision of Civil Partnership as the only relationship recognition option for LGBT people is a serious mistake.”

Burning Issues is one of the largest consultations ever undertaken with the LGBT community with over eleven hundred people responding. The report shows a community in a very positive light, unwilling to accept inequalities, keenly aware of the political situation, who will not accept second best and who are determined to go on campaigning until equality is delivered.

The Burning Issues research report can be downloaded from <http://www.nlgf.ie/> '
by Suzy Byrne at 12/3/2009 9:44:13 AM
Marriage Equality Open Letter to Brian Cowen www.marriagequality.ie
by Suzy Byrne at 12/3/2009 10:03:23 AM
Newstalk news headlines on the CP Bill www.newstalk.ie
by Suzy Byrne at 12/3/2009 10:05:32 AM
It's an interesting day alright wonder who will be out protesting tonight and on what sides ... #cpbill
by Raghallaigh via twitter at 12/3/2009 10:07:11 AM
Civil Partnership Flawed Says NLGF: Publishers of GCN, the National Lesbian and Gay Federation call for the impleme... http://bit.ly/5BXPdk
by gcnie via twitter at 12/3/2009 10:12:57 AM
Dáil has just agreed to sit later than 4.45pm today - that's lucky since there's a bit of business to be done tonight!
by Suzy Byrne at 12/3/2009 10:39:29 AM
RTE.ie Report and Round up on press releases so far from a number a groups www.rte.ie
by Suzy Byrne at 12/3/2009 10:45:47 AM
#cpbill being discussed today in the Dail http://tweetphoto.com/5747592
by quinlivan via twitter at 12/3/2009 10:51:23 AM
has called on the Government to amend shortcomings in the Civil Partnership Bill,which fails to offer same-sex... http://bit.ly/8WWAhg
by TheUSI via twitter at 12/3/2009 11:06:58 AM
Civil partnership bill being presented to Dáil today. The "Freedom of conscience" amendm't being mooted is v worrying http://bit.ly/5dcP2u
by fionarhw via twitter at 12/3/2009 11:26:14 AM
Civil Partnership Without A Civil Marriage Option Will Promote Discrimination Towards Gay And Lesbian People http://bit.ly/7pu6Wu
by humanrightsblog via twitter at 12/3/2009 11:26:35 AM
Why there should be no freedom of conscience amendment paschaldonohoe.ie/?p=2752 #cpbill
by WilliamQuill via twitter at 12/3/2009 11:41:05 AM
Civil Partnership is Discrimination, Say Rights Groups: The same-sex partnership rights group, MarriagEquality have... http://bit.ly/4VWJiG
by gcnie via twitter at 12/3/2009 11:48:42 AM
Gays and Transsexuals can't enter heaven according to Cardinal. www.nytimes.com
by Suzy Byrne at 12/3/2009 11:55:21 AM
I'm getting pissed off again. One again, same bloody topic. FYI - gay "marriage". It's called a civil union/partnership NOT marriage.
by LeoMcKylle via twitter at 12/3/2009 12:19:34 PM
Civil Partnership Bill to be debated http://bit.ly/8o8D4f
by usiequality via twitter at 12/3/2009 2:01:33 PM
Civil Partnership in Ireland - @AttitudeMag: Right now when I fly home to Dublin, my husband stops being my... http://tumblr.com/xj24fd466
by bainser via twitter at 12/3/2009 2:01:42 PM
Can we please stop swallowing the spin and calling it the "Freedom of Conscience" amendment? Find a less loaded name.
by Fergal via twitter at 12/3/2009 2:03:30 PM
RT @Fergal: Can we please stop swallowing the spin and calling it the "Freedom of Conscience" amendment? Find a less loaded name.
by dermotcasey via twitter at 12/3/2009 2:03:38 PM
Have heard more about the #cpbill and am now in 2 minds. Is a measure of equality enough? Why can't equality mean just that & not tokenism?
by bainser via twitter at 12/3/2009 2:12:33 PM
Irish civil partnerships bill presented to parliament today www.pinknews.co.uk
by Suzy Byrne at 12/3/2009 2:18:29 PM
@Fergal We should call it the discrimination amendment.
by Raghallaigh at 12/3/2009 3:49:07 PM
I hear GLEN are so excited about the bill-pity they actually failed to consult with those they claimed to advocate for
by wendylimerick at 12/3/2009 4:41:32 PM
3rd December 2009 - Not on their website yet apparently they are having technical problems!

Statement

Equality Authority Welcomes Introduction of Civil Partnership Bill as Important Step Forward for Civil Rights in Ireland

· Legislation is a significant step but full equality remains as ultimate goal
· Any amendments to legislation to enshrine discrimination must be opposed

Thursday, December 3rd – The introduction of the Civil Partnership Bill in Dáil Éireann was welcomed today by the Equality Authority which described the move as an important step forward for civil rights in Ireland. The proposed legislation will, for the first time, give same-sex couples the right to have their relationships formally recognised by the State.

Chairperson of the Equality Authority Angela Kerins stated:

“Today’s legislation is a ground-breaking move for Ireland and a major step in the right direction towards full equality for gay and lesbian couples. Numerous opinion polls have shown that the majority of us are in favour of allowing same-sex couples to marry or form civil partnerships, and the recognition of same-sex partnerships also enjoys cross party support in both houses of the Oireachtas.

This proposed legislation will extend protection to thousands of same-sex couples in areas like inheritance, pension benefits, taxation and medical rights and is welcome. However, though a significant step forward it is not the final destination. In 2002 the Equality Authority called for equal access to civil marriage, and for equality in other relevant areas of family law, for same-sex couples. This remains our goal.”

The policy of the Equality Authority is to support the full implementation of the recommendations of the Government Working Group on Domestic Partnership, chaired by Anne Colley which underpin equality-based reform for opposite sex, same-sex and non conjugal cohabitants.

In this regard, the Equality Authority today voiced some concerns with the proposed legislation, the main one being the lack of reference to children and of adoption by same-sex couples in the legislation. The Colley Group recommended that same-sex couples should be eligible for consideration as adoptive parents.

“In reality, many same-sex couples are already parents. Their children will continue to face questions regarding inheritance, guardianship and access, and will remain disadvantaged when compared with other children, including the step children of a civil marriage. It is to be hoped that the Law Reform Commission’s current consultation on the Legal Aspects of Family Relationships will bring forward major reform in this area.”

Addressing the issue of a possible amendment which has been mooted to allow for state officials to be exempt from registering civil partnerships, Kerins stated:
“This proposal would be unjustified, unworkable and unacceptable. Civil Partnership is a civil event, not a religious one. The Equality Authority would be strongly against such an amendment to the Bill, as a retrograde and discriminatory clause in what is a progressive piece of legislation.”

In conclusion, Angela Kerins commented:

“Hundreds of committed campaigners have invested time and energy in bringing Ireland forward to this point and now this Bill will finally be debated in the Dáil. Today is a historic day for Irish civil rights, with Ireland joining other countries such as the UK, Canada, Spain, Denmark and Sweden which have already taken steps to recognise the rights of same-sex couples to have their relationships recognised by the state.

“While the availability of civil marriage must always be our goal for same sex couples, the Civil Partnership Bill is a fundamental and historic step towards a fair and just society for gay, lesbian and bisexual people who are not unknown faceless people but the sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, neighbours and friends of all of us. All our elected representatives should stand behind this Bill and ensure its swift enactment"
by Raghallaigh at 12/3/2009 4:41:42 PM
I prefer to call it the Florists amendment #cpbill tinyurl.com
by Ian McGahon at 12/3/2009 5:03:20 PM
wonder if any TD will make a mistake again by saying Lays and Gesbians #cpbill
by ianmcgahon via twitter at 12/3/2009 5:35:13 PM
A new law in Ireland, starts life as a "Bill". A Bill, is a proposal for legislation. Apart from Private Members' Bills, Bills are usually initiated by the
Government.

A Bill may be commenced in either the Dáil or the Seanad but it must be passed by both Houses to become law. Usually, Bills are commenced in Dáil Eireann.

Before it is introduced to the Dáil, the contents of the Bill are approved by the Government.

Usually there will be a process of consultation with Government departments and groups likely to be affected by the Bill. (Examples of these groups may include voluntary organisations, lobby groups, members of the public, etc.)

Sometimes,

the Government will publish a "Green Paper". A Green Paper is a discussion document| setting out ideas and inviting comment and views from individuals and relevant organisations.

The Bill is then put before the Dáil for a general debate on the principles of the Bill. Members of the Dáil may make suggestions for amendments and additions to the Bill.

The Bill is then sent to committees to be examined section by section. After the committee stage, more amendments may be made to the Bill.

The final stage in the process is a debate in the Dáil, confined to the contents of the Bill. The members of the Dáil will then vote on whether to pass the Bill. There is a system of electronic voting in place that allows members to vote by pressing a button at their seat to indicate whether they vote for or against the proposed legislation.

The Bill will then be sent down to the Seanad to go through the entire process of debate and committee examination again. The Seanad has 90 days (or any longer period agreed by both Houses) to consider the Bill and do one of the following:

pass the Bill without any amendment or
reject the Bill completely or
return

the Bill to the Dáil with amendments.
If the Seanad rejects the Bill or returns it to the Dáil with amendments that the Dáil does not accept, the Bill will lapse after 180 days. The Dáil may, within those 180 days, pass a resolution declaring that the Bill is deemed to have been passed by both Houses. This provision means that the Seanad cannot generally stop the Dáil from introducing legislation - it can only cause delays.

"Money Bills" are Bills that relate to taxation or relate to spending by the Government. The Seanad has only 21 days to consider these Bills.

Once the Bill has been passed by both Houses, the Taoiseach presents a copy of the Bill to the President for signature. Once the President has signed the Bill it becomes an "Act" and has legal force.
by Ian McGahon edited by Suzy Byrne at 12/3/2009 5:35:55 PM
You can see more on each stage here
by Ian McGahon at 12/3/2009 5:38:54 PM
www.oireachtas.ie
by Ian McGahon at 12/3/2009 5:39:01 PM