Ahern targets gay partnership law before election

THE Government is committed to bringing in legislation to recognise same-sex partnerships, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has insisted.

In an interview in the latest edition of Ireland’s leading gay newspaper, Gay Community News, Mr Ahern said he wants to legislate on the issue of same-sex partnership before the next election.

“The commitment of the Taoiseach to legislate on same-sex relationships before the next election is an important step forward, and would greatly improve the status and quality of life for lesbian and gay people in a very short period of time,” said Brian Sheehan of Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (GLEN) .

“The commitment follows on from the strong statements on equality for lesbian and gay people made by the Taoiseach at the opening of GLEN’s offices,” added Mr Sheehan.

“As an equality organisation, our objective is a parity of rights and responsibilities, in other words equal access to civil marriage.

“We have global ambitions for our society and our economy and should be equally ambitious for social progress by becoming the sixth country in the world to open out civil marriage to gay people.”

At the Launch of GLEN’s office earlier this month, the Taoiseach said: “Our sexual orientation is not an incidental attribute.

“Sexual orientation cannot, and must not, be the basis of second-class citizenship.

“Our laws have changed and will continue to change, to reflect this principle.”

The Taoiseach added: “All citizens, regardless of sexual orientation, stand equal in the eyes of our laws”.

Although Mr Ahern acknowledged that there may be constitutional difficulties in the process, he emphasised that the Government was committed to legislating on the issue.

GLEN director of policy Eoin Collins also welcomed the Taoiseach’s comments and said he believed the Government was serious in its commitment.

“We are delighted with the commitment the Government has shown.

“We think his response was very positive,” said Mr Collins

Mr Collins also praised the commitment shown by Justice Minister Michael McDowell.

“[Mr] McDowell has been very positive and proactive. He helped established the working group on domestic partnership and we feel that such a strong Government commitment could mean that same-sex partnerships could be recognised before the next election.”