Three Fianna Fail Senators, Walsh, Labhras Ó Murchú and John Hanafin, have quite the party due to their objections to the Civil Partnership Bill.
In a letter they send to Government Chief Whip, John Curran, they said “It is a matter of regret that we conscientiously find this to be the only appropriate avenue open to us and we would like to offer our apologies to both the Taoiseach and the Minister for Justice for any difficulties that this might present.
“Recognising the genuine efforts being made by the Taoiseach and his Cabinet to overcome the current recession and for any avoidance of doubt, we would like to say that it is clearly our intention to support the continuing efforts of the Government to restore a functional banking system, improve the economy, and fulfill the Programme for Government.”
They claimed that the Bill was flawed and discriminatory, calling for the introduction of a “freedom of conscience” close to allow people to opt out of officiating at a same-sex civil partnership.
Fine Gael and Labour both support the Bill which means that it will be unaffected by the Senators resignation.
Senator David Norris, who plans to run for Lord Mayor of Dublin, has campaigned for gay rights for decades. He feels that the Bill does not grant equality to gay people. Emily Logan, Ombudsman for Children, also criticized the Bill saying that children’s rights did not receive enough focus.
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