The shambles and uncertainty that is Irish politics at the moment may effect the passage of legislation on civil partnerships due to be debated before the General Election.

The Finance Bill published last Friday was due to be amended during the committee stage to contain provisions for the recognition of Civil Partnerships within tax systems. The bill does not contain the proposals already and the Department of Finance reassured campaigners (GLEN) that the amendments would be put by the Minister during the committee stage of the bill through the Oireachtas.

Before the withdrawal of the Green Party from Government today and Brian Cowen’s resignation as FF party leader yesterday it seemed that three to four weeks would be spent on the legislation and enough time would be given to debate.

However it now seems that if the timetable is guillotined that this will not happen and there will be a delay in same sex couples in civil partnerships being recognised in tax law. It is understood ceremonies can go ahead as planned and other recognitions would stand.