25/06/2008

Ireland To Introduce Civil Partnerships

Same sex partnerships will for the first time have the opportunity to be legally recognised in Ireland with the introduction of a new bill.

Justice Minister Dermot Ahern has announced the move on Tuesday, and opened up the proposed policy for public perusal. Interested members of the public can view the heads of the bill and submit their views to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

The Scheme, following in the footsteps of the recent UK decision to introduce civil partnerships, will establish a statutory mechanism for registration of same-sex partnerships, and set out the duties and responsibilities of registered partners.

Announcing the publication, Minister Ahern said: "This is a major milestone in the implementation of the commitment in the Agreed Programme for Government to legislate for Civil Partnerships.

"This legislation is keenly awaited by many cohabiting couples, and will be of great benefit both to same-sex and opposite-sex cohabiting couples."

The law will mean greater rights for same sex couples who are presently not afforded the same rights legal entitlements of married couples, and create a new legal relationship for same-sex couples to end only on the death of a partner or dissolution by a court. The bill also sets out the legal position on a range of property, financial and other matters already dealt with in heterosexual marriages, including maintenance, shared home, succession, taxation, social welfare schemes and pension rights.

Mr Ahern added: "This Bill also represents a recognition by Government of the many forms of relationships in modern society, and an important step very particularly for same-sex couples, whose relationships have not previously been given legal recognition."

The Scheme of the Civil Partnership Bill may be viewed on the Department's website www.justice.ie.

(DW/JM)

Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

27 June 2008
Civil Partnership Bill Opposed By Fianna Fail Senator
A Wexford-based Senator is leading a campaign to ensure a Bill to introduce civil partnerships does not go ahead. Led by Jim Walsh, up to 30 members of the Fianna Fail parliamentary party have reportedly signed a motion to reverse the Government's decision to allow gay and lesbian couples register their relationships with the State.
23 May 2016
412 Same-Sex Marriages In Ireland Since Referendum
Over 400 same sex marriages have taken place in Ireland since the passing of the Marriage Equality Referendum on 23 May 2015. The largest number of marriages have taken place in Dublin, with 213 couples getting married in the last year.
11 November 2015
New Regulations To Make It Easier For Civil Partners To Get Married
New regulations have been introduced to make it easier for civil partners who now wish to marry following the commencement of the Marriage Act 2015. Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton, has signed the Regulations and Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald signed the Commencement Order for the Act at a ceremony in Dublin Castle.
25 February 2015
Adfam Defends Anti-Marriage Equality Leaflet
The Alliance for the Defence of the Family and Marriage (Adfam) have defended a leaflet it published which claims same-sex couples die younger and are more likely to abuse or neglect children. The group has produced the leaflet to campaign against the marriage equality referendum to be held next May.
17 April 2008
Co-Habitation Bill To Be Published Soon, Says Cowen
The Taoiseach in waiting, Brian Cowen, has told the Dáil the Government will be publishing a bill on the rights of co-habiting couples.