Brian Hayes
Govt should accept change
The Government has been defeated in the Seanad on a Fine Gael amendment to the Civil Registration Bill.
The defeat, by 24 votes to 23, marks the first time the Coalition has lost a vote in the upper House.
The amendment provides for unmarried couples formally registering guardianship arrangements for their children.
Fianna Fáil sources this evening accused the main opposition party of a breach of faith, claiming Fine Gael senators who had been paired had voted on the amendment.
However, Fine Gael leader in the House, Senator Brian Hayes, insisted that the Government did not have the numbers on the division despite their majority.
Mr Hayes said they should accept the amendment in the democratic spirit and not seek to have it changed subsequently.
