THE INTRODUCTION of civil partnerships for gay and lesbian couples is part of the programme for government and will be honoured, Taoiseach Brian Cowen has said, despite unease shared by up to 30 Fianna Fáil TDs and Senators.
Wexford Senator Jim Walsh has drafted a motion, which acknowledges the need for some form of legal recognition for such bonds but seeks to emphasise "the unique and special place" of marriage. It is to go before the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party on Tuesday, although the parliamentary party's chairman, Louth TD Séamus Kirk, is likely to try to avoid allowing a full debate on the issue.
Speaking in Tullamore last night, Mr Cowen said: "It's a commitment that's in the government programme, as you know, and it's been worked on for some time.
"The general scheme has been published and it has been done in a way which obviously is within the confines of the constitutional constraints and the Attorney General has worked very closely on it from day one. The institution of marriage is protected in our Constitution and is in no way undermined by this legislation.
"This legislation deals with separate issues. I think it's important that they are dealt with. It's, as I've said, a commitment in the programme and we're proceeding on that basis. People will have their own points of view, but I think we'll have to proceed with honouring the commitment we've made."
Asked if he thought more conservative elements in Fianna Fáil are having difficulty with the legislation, he said: "In fairness, the parties in Government have committed themselves to bringing forward this legislation. My predecessor made an important speech in this whole area generally, which I would commend to everybody, and I think that we need to get on with regularising these situations so that people can have their rights vindicated in a proper way, in a modern legal framework which works within the constitutional framework, which itself gives prominence and pre-eminence to the institution of marriage, which in no way is affected by this proposal."
Refusing to do media interviews yesterday, Senator Walsh issued a brief statement: "It is not my intention to enter into public debate on the motion prior to our parliamentary party meeting. In my opinion, to do so would be inappropriate.
"I can say that the Minister in publishing the Heads of a Civil Partnership Bill invited debate and a response from all interested persons. I would hope that no one would suggest that the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party would somehow be excluded from this process.
"The Minister further stated that 'this Bill also represents a recognition by Government of the many forms of relationships in modern society'. The motion fully accepts and acknowledges the need to address relevant issues pertaining to these relationships, but calls for the continuation of supports for marriage which are both unique and special, in accordance with the constitutional requirement," he said.
A confrontation on the issue is expected to be avoided on Tuesday by referring it to the parliamentary party's justice policy group, chaired by Wexford TD Seán Connick, for further discussion.