Just in from from Senator Dan Boyle on twitter.
Seanad business has been re-organised. Civil Partnership debate to be held on Wednesday and Thursday of next week (July 7th/8th).
Momentum being used to get it done with? Afraid of letting it fester until the 13th? Whatever the reason it’s good that it will be sorted next week. More on times and coverage online in a few days.
From following the debate online last night, there appeared to be an issue with conditions under which the cohabitation rights kicked in for certain couples. I got the impression that the amendment(s) would be made in the Seanad and then the bill brought back to the Dáil – hence the haste?
Good to see that this process is not being unduly delayed.
CIVIL PARTNERSHIP – IN SEARCH ON THE MISSING LINK
Many of you may be wondering when the first Civil Partnerships will take place in Ireland and why the delay from the passing of the Bill, over the next few days, and its implementation at some unknown date in the future. (Newspaper reports contain hints and suggestions from unnamed Government officials but no firm date).
It may surprise you to learn that is is because of the missing link or should I say links i.e. the Civil Partnership Bill is not enough it requires supporting legislation to be contained in a Finance Bill and a Social Welfare Bill.
There is no sign of the supporting legislation required. Would the Ministers of Finance and Social Welfare please stand and explain the absence of the missing links? (And please don’t tell us that the Department is reviewing the situation – you had plenty of time to do that over the three years since Civil partnership was promised.) Did no-one think to co-ordinate the three bills together and pass them one after the other in a short timeframe?
Don’t forget that even when the Act is commenced there will be a further three month delay as that is the Notice that persons intending to enter into a Civil partnership must give (save in special circumstances and a trip to the courts) before they can enter into a civil partnership.. You can’t give the notice until the Act is commenced.
By bet is as follows (and I believe that this is the Governments timetable – whether by accident or design).
The supporting legislation will be contained in the normal Finance and Social Welfare Bills which follow the Budget in December. I say this because I do not believe that the Government will introduce separate Finance and Social Welfare Bills in September/October and then further Finance and Social Welfare Bills in December.
These Bills will not become law until April or May 2011 (the normal timescale for such Bills) and then the Civil Partnership Act will be commenced (one hopes).
If one adds in the notice period mentioned above the first Civil partnerships will be permitted in August or September 2011 (another Pride will have come and long gone).
Of course if there is a general election soonish then this time-frame can only be increased. 2012?
Such a long delay in a civil rights matter is unjustified.
I would suggest a shorter timescale would be much more appropriate. Pass the missing legislation in September AND commence the Civil Partnership Act on September 18th. This would allow the first civil partnership (taking into account the three month notice period) to take place in Ireland on December, 19th, 2010 the fifth anniversary of the first civil partnership in Northern Ireland. Yes thats how far we are behind.
Its neat and its quick – why should we wait any longer?
The Governments ham-fisted and tortoise like approach to Civil Partnership has put it in the invidious position of alienating the catholic Bishops (who don’t want it) and now many Gays and Lesbians (who now almost have it but can’t access it) in yet another PR masterstroke.
Only Dr Lydia Foy would regard the present Governments timetable for the arrival of Civil Partnership in Ireland as quick. She had to wait 13 years for her civil rights!