A Fianna Fáil Senator says the Civil Partnership Bill is as much about stamping out racism and promoting equality as providing rights to gay and cohabiting couples.
But at least 3 more Fianna Fáil Senators are to defy the whip and vote against the bill saying it threatens the institution of marriage.
But with cross party support the Bill is expected to pass all stages tomorrow and go to the President for signature.
Senator Lisa McDonald says it is time for Irish society to try and become one of equality once and for all.
“Somebody said to me yesterday, I got – as we all have gotten – a lot of phone calls on this issue; I said the person ‘Just live and let live’” she said.
“They said ‘That’s what we were doing until you lot brought in that Bill’ – nobody can tolerate that level of racism in our society”.
“We as leaders are incumbent upon us to leave religion outside the door, and to treat every single person that we govern with the respect and equality that they deserve” she added.
The openly gay Senator David Norris says there is nothing revolutionary or visionary about this legislation.
He says it does not go far enough and deliver gay marriage.
“Murders can marry, child abusers can marry, burglars and bank robbers can marry, ex-priests and ex-nuns can marry” he said.
“Yet I – a member of this House in good standing – have no such right”.
“I find myself in the position that is complained of universally in the gay community of being deprived of full equality” he added.
While Fianna Fáil Senator Jim Walshe has said he will vote against the Civil Partnership Bill.
Senator Walshe says while he can accept diversity in society he cannot accept anything that damages the institution of marriage.
“Existing marriage rights should remain unique to marriage because of the uniquely pro-child nature of marriage” he said.
“It is not discrimination to treat a unique institution – like the marriage of a man and a woman – in a unique manner” he added.
