SEANAD REPORT:MINISTER OF State for Finance Brian Hayes said he believed it was in the public interest that the State encourage people to live together and that the wish of those in loving relationships would have them recognised through civil partnerships or marriage.

Such an approach would enhance social protection, he said.

Mr Hayes was speaking in the finance Bill debate to afford tax treatment to civil partners and cohabitants in line with provisions of the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations Act. The Bill passed the second stage.

Mr Hayes said some of the most loving relationships he had ever seen were those of gay couples. He had taken note of the contention of Katherine Zappone (Ind) that the Bill dealt unfairly with civil partners in the areas of break-ups, the definitions of living together and the position of children.

Mr Hayes said any redefinition of the family would require a constitutional amendment.

Ronan Mullen (Ind) said in opposing the civil partnership Bill he would be a hypocrite if he did not say that he still had concerns about aspects of that legislation.

Darragh O’Brien, Fianna Fáil leader in the House, said his party was seeking support for its motion on the creation of a Palestinian state. It asked the Seanad to call on the Government to formally recognise a Palestinian state at the upcoming UN general assembly, based on Israel’s pre-1967 borders and mutually agreed land swaps.

Seanad deputy leader Ivana Bacik (Lab) said she hoped that there would be cross-party support for a motion along such lines.

Martin Conway (FG) said he did not think the public had confidence in Declan Collier as a public interest director of AIB. Mr Collier, the chief executive of the Dublin Airport Authority, had not taken a €102,000 bonus but he had a salary of about €600,000. It was absolutely bizarre that he was a member of the AIB remuneration committee.

John Crown (Ind) said smoking should be banned in cars and in areas of family homes to protect youngsters from its effects.