Civil Partnership Bill 2009 – Seanad Stages
Tags: bisexual, civil partnership, Civil Partnership Bill, Dermot Ahern, education, equality, gay, lesbian, marriage, marriage equality, same-sex relationships, social welfare, Transgender Hooray, hooray! After history was made last week, when the Dáil passed the Civil Partnership Bill 2009, the Bill makes its way to Seanad Éireann this week for debate.
It should make for lively viewing and reading, if we hear from the likes of equality champions, Ivana Bacik (Lab.) and David Norris (Ind.) – the latter of whom is believed to be planning to vote against the Bill due to the inequalities contained in it – as well as Dan “Tweetin’” Boyle (Greens); we may also hear from Rónán “Catholic” Mullen (NUI), Ivor “The Engine” Callelly (FF), Jim “Anti-Bill Motion” Walsh (FF), Eoghan “Kerrrrazy” Harris (Ind.), Labhras “Ho-mo-sek-sualls” Ó Murchú (FF); among many others.
Here’s hoping they all clock in to join the fun!
Time has been set aside on both Wednesday and Thursday of this week to get through all the remaining stages.
On Wednesday, 7th July 2010, the Seanad’s session begins at 10:30am – starting with the Order of Business and a discussion of a Bill on criminal matters. After that, the debate on the Civil Partnership Bill begins, with the aim of getting through the Bill’s Second Stage and Committee Stage. Further time has been allocated at 7:15pm, for resumption of discussion.
Then, on Thursday, 8th July 2010, the fun continues from 10:30am again with the Seanad launching straight away after Order of Business into further and final debate of the Bill (Committee Stage, Report Stage, and Final Stage).
If the Bill passes the Seanad it will then, having been passed by both houses of parliament, be sent to the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese. She may either sign the Bill into law, or refer it (or part of it) to the Supreme Court for a ruling on its constitutionality.
To tune in:
- The tireless Suzy Byrne has once again set up a Live Blog to follow all the thrills and spills – including, if we’re lucky, news of the anti-Bill protesters at the Dáil gates! Drop by the Live Blog here. Anyone can comment there directly, whether logged in or not. In addition, anyone can comment via their Twitter account by including the hashtag “#cpbill” which will automatically include that Twitter update in the Live Blog.
- The debate will be streamed live on the Oireachtas website here. (Select one of the options in the row for “Seanad Éireann.)
- And, of course, readers can comment right here with your thoughts!
Read back through this blog for other Civil Parntership Bill-themed articles here and here.
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So, if it goes to the Prez, and she signs it, is that it? Do we have all of the attendant rights?
Or do we have to wait until the Social Welfare Act and potentially others are ammended to include the changes?
If the President signs it, the Civil Partnership Bill is enacted (I’m not sure whether there are provisions relating to commencement – in some instances, all or part of a Bill/Act will be “commenced” (i.e. will come into force) by a Ministerial instrument or order).
Social Welfare and Financial matters are not contained in the Bill – they will be included in separate Bills dealing with those topics at some point in the future.
All the other shortcomings of the Civil Partnership Bill remain (unless, of course, amendments are approved at this stage to make the Bill somehow worse. ..Me? Biased?!..).
[...] last heard that the Bill had passed through the Seanad (Ireland’s upper house of parliament) with a majority of votes, thus passing both houses of [...]