Law to compel registrars on civil partnerships

STATE registrars will not be allowed to opt out of conducting civil partnership ceremonies under upcoming legislation, Justice Minister Dermot Ahern has said.

Mr Ahern said such a scenario could lead to legal claims against the state, if registrars refused to registrar the civil partnership of same-sex couples.

But the minister confirmed that religious organisations or officials such as priests or vicars would not be compelled to conduct same-sex ceremonies.