Gay groups welcome civil union move

GAY RIGHTS campaigners have warmly welcomed an announcement by the Minister for Justice that a working group is to be established to examine the introduction of civil unions for gay and cohabiting couples.

It is understood that the working group, largely composed of public servants, will deliver a written options paper as early as next March.

The group will look at the various types of partnership that could be developed by the Government if it is to extend property, gift tax, social welfare, inheritance and next-of-kin rights to gay and cohabiting couples.

Once the paper is completed, it is up to Government to decide how to act on its suggestions.

England and Wales’ first-ever gay civil partnership ceremonies will take place today with Sir Elton John and his partner, David Furnish among those to make history at a low-key ceremony at Windsor’s Guildhall.

A number of similar ceremonies took place in Belfast on Monday after the 2004 Civil Partnerships Act was made law in the North.

Gay and Lesbian Equality Network chief executive, Keith O’Malley, said they were delighted with Justice Minister Michael McDowell’s plans.

“We feel that there is a real commitment to examine this issue and not to delay the matter.

“We had a good meeting with the minister and believe that this is a very important development for the gay community,” he said.

Options the group will examine include whether to have civil partnership or not, what kind of partnerships are possible and whether such a partnership is only for gays or also for cohabiting heterosexual people or even people with no sexual dimension to their relationship.

Mr McDowell said he believes Ireland is changing and people may be more open now to recognising all types of relationships.

“Our view was that the centre of gravity in Ireland has shifted - you know the world didn’t end in Belfast on Monday.

The Irish people know that being fair to everyone in the community is good for everyone in the community. And in that sense, I think that old-fashioned attitudes have moderated quite a deal,” he told reporters.

Mr McDowell has previously made public his backing for such civil unions but yesterday said he didn’t want to prejudge the matter.

An All-Party Oireachtas Committee on Constitution is due to issue recommendations around the area of gay marriage next month but it’s believed these plans won’t call for radical change in the status of marriage. The Law Reform Commission has also produced a discussion paper around cohabitation and their report is also expected in 2006.