Civil Partnerships Bill must go ahead

THE Irish Government’s Civil Partnership Bill must go ahead before the summer recess and “there should be no wavering on this basic civil rights issue”, Sinn Féin Justice and Equality spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD has said.
Responding to the statement from the Catholic bishops opposing the civil rights legislation, Deputy Ó Snodaigh said:
“Like any other citizens, the Catholic bishops have a right to express their views on this matter but I reject their efforts to bring pressure to bear on political parties in the Oireachtas by calling for a ‘free vote’.
“Why is it that they do not call for a ‘free vote’ on other measures such as the Social Welfare Bill to cut welfare payments for some of our most vulnerable citizens?”