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Equality Bill [HL]

My Lords, we welcome these amendments. It is very important that the citizens of the United Kingdom should enjoy the same basic rights and freedoms irrespective of the part of the territory in which they happen to live. When we debated the Civil Partnership Bill, we considered whether it should apply to Northern Ireland. At the time, there was a great deal of resistance. But it applies to Northern Ireland; indeed, the first civil partnerships were registered in Belfast before any were registered in Scotland, England and Wales. Underlying legislation in Northern Ireland dealing with discrimination matches legislation in this country. Of course, sexual orientation discrimination is unlawful south of the border in the Republic. Under the Good Friday agreement, it is contemplated that the same basic rights and freedoms will be enjoyed north and south of the border in Ireland and east and west of the Irish Sea. This ensures a level playing field. It is right that these amendments should be made. On Question, Motion agreed to. 33 Clause 93, page 56, line 14, leave out subsection (2)