The Government was accused of discriminating against gay people by overturning gay partners' rights to free travel.
The last-minute amendment to social welfare legislation was not reached during the final stages of the debate on the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, but a lengthy row ensued on the Order of Business.
Labour's deputy leader, Ms Liz McManus, said the amendment had been introduced incorrectly and would take away rights of gay people that had been gained as a result of a landmark decision by the Equality Authority. It ruled that the partners of a qualified person in a same-sex relationship were entitled to a free travel pass on the same basis as a spouse or partner in a male-female relationship.
Ms McManus said the change would deny people rights they had gained as citizens of this country. "We are extremely concerned about it and ask that the guillotine /[on the legislation]/ be lifted and that we have a proper debate in a proper manner appropriate to this parliament," she said.
The Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Ms Coughlan, said the amendment had been notified during the committee stage debate on Wednesday.
Mr John Gormley (Greens, Dublin South East) said it was a very serious issue which overturned the rights of gay partners to free travel. "It is totally unacceptable so far as the Green Party is concerned to introduce this amendment at the last minute," he said.
Mr Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (SF, Cavan-Monaghan) said the late introduction of the amendment was designed to "wrong-foot everybody" where rights gained were being taken away.
