Fianna Fail Unhappy at Civil Partnership Moves

It won’t be a surprise to Suzy but in echoes of Dermot Ahern’s own stated position in 1993, reports in today’s papers have a number of unnamed Senators and backbench FF TDs suggesting that this whole civil partnership thing is a bridge too far. Despite being greeted as one not far enough by all bar GLEN.

Ahern’s argument in 1993 was essentially that you cant put this sort of thing on the statute book, heaven knows what will follow it and how far society will fall (done in far different language). Well the place hasn’t caved in but we still have those debates being deployed as a means around accusations of discrimination;

“I don’t see any great need to legislate in this area. I have my own views on it. Let people do what they want, but I don’t see the need to be putting things into the statute book,” said another, who equally would not be quoted by name.

With 30 mooted supporters of a motion - being discussed at the Parliamentary Party meeting - it will be very interesting to see the effect it has. The Greens have a lot riding on this issue as it is one of the few they have pushed outside of their “core policy” policy. It is not to wantonly put pressure on them for the sheer fun of it simply to point out the task they face getting this through resistance from conservative side of Fianna Fail

Fianna Fail likewise surprised my by bringing forward the heads of the bill at all, now that it is out however the next step awaits and getting it on the statute book is the ultimate test.