The DUP and Sinn Féin have clashed over proposed legislation that would prevent discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation.
The Northern Secretary Peter Hain plans to implement the Equality Act, Sexual Orientation Regulation on 1 January and the proposal came in for severe criticism from the DUP during this morning’s assembly debate.
It would force all businesses in Northern Ireland to recognise the rights of gay, lesbian and bisexual couples.
The DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson warned that Christian run businesses could face prosecution for denying gays, lesbians and bisexuals services, by following their own faith's teachings.
Mr Donaldson said if a teacher taught the orthodox Christian belief that homosexual practice was sinful then a gay pupil could make a claim for harassment, claiming the teacher was creating a humiliating or offensive environment.
The Sinn Féin MLA Catriona Ruane accused the DUP of stirring up homophobia. She said that everyone should have the same rights and protections.
The SDLP, whose youth wing staged a protest against the motion outside Stormont, also accused the DUP of scaremongering over legislation it said was designed to ensure no section of society was discriminated against.
Brussels invite expected for NI parties
Meanwhile, the President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, is expected to write to the leaders of Northern Ireland’s four main parties this week, inviting them to Brussels for talks.
It is understood that Mr Barroso is prepared to explore how the EU might be able to support a devolved power-sharing administration at Stormont.
One matter all the Northern Ireland parties agree on is that they would like to draw down more EU supports.
Additional funding would never be refused but Corporation Tax is also a very important question.
The UK rate is more than double that of the Republic and Northern Ireland would like some derogation to take account of its disadvantage.
A month ago the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, asked the president of the EC to meet the four main party leaders.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern, will raise the matter today with Mr Barroso in Brussels and a written invitation is expected from him.
