The issue of civil unions and gay adoptions yesterday evening took centre stage during the latest public consultation meeting organised by the government, in which Civil Rights Minister Helena Dalli argued that there was no difference between civil partnerships and marriage.

During the event held at the St Paul’s Bay primary school, Dr Dalli argued that the Labour Party had made it clear before the last general election that civil unions would be on par with marriage.

She argued that any attempt to make a distinction between the two would be tantamount to discrimination.

Dr Dalli was replying to remarks made by the President of the National Council of Women, Mary Gaerty, who said that civil unions should not be treated as marriage, stressing that the latter was only reserved for heterosexual couples.

Her remarks immediately prompted a reaction from LGBT spokesman Gabi Calleja, who thanked the government for its support while expressing her disagreement with the views expressed by Ms Gaerty.

Regarding gay adoptions, the minister said the priority was to safeguard the children’s interests rather than entering into the merits of the sexual orientation of the applicants.

The Civil Unions Bill brought in stricter controls on applicants as same-sex partners would be also be scrutinised rather than the present situation in which gay people were circumventing the law and applying as single parents.

Ms Dalli also announced that a public consultation would be launched within a few days in preparation for a White Paper to widen the remit of the National Council for the Promotion of Equality. She said work was taking place on the drafting of a cohabitation Bill.

In her opening remarks, Dr Dalli gave a brief overview of the initiatives taken by her ministry during the first 10 months of the Labour government.

She said consultation with civil society and constituted bodies was central to the government, with the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development meeting 24 times as opposed to six meetings held the year before.

Work taking place on drafting of cohabitation Bill

Regarding the industrial tribunal, she said the number of pending cases had been reduced from 67 to 22 but expressed her disappointment that some of the cases had been dragging on for years.

Replying to a question from the floor, she said that the medicines authority was evaluating a proposal through which the opening hours of pharmacies would be extended, even to Sundays and public holidays.