Government Chief Whip Pat Carey yesterday announced the legislative programme forseen by the government for the coming Dáil session which commences this afternoon and ends on April 9. Among the list is the Civil Partnership Bill. Publication of the bill does not mean necessarily that it will be debated in this period.

Harry McGee notes in today’s Irish Times that the legislation has received a hostile reception in Fianna Fáil. No word of late as to any consultations and discussions following the publication of the heads of the Bill and call for responses – although I’ve heard there’s a fight or twenty ahead to get the legislation debated. No mentions of civil marriage of course but I’m sure it’ll not be for the want of shouting about it.

The full list of bills to be published includes

– Employment Agency Regulation Bill
– Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill
– Financial Services (Deposit Guarantee Scheme) Bil
– National Pensions Reserve Fund (Amendment) Bill
– Child Care Bill
– Covert Surveillance Bill
– Criminal Justice (Money Laundering) Bill
– Property Services (Regulatory) Bill
– Criminal Procedures Bill
– Civil Partnership Bill
– Road Traffic and Transport Bill