Civil recognition for gay couples on the cards

LEGISLATIVE changes to give civil recognition to same-sex couples could be on the way, Justice Minister Michael McDowell has signalled.

Mr McDowell was reacting to a new report from the Irish Human Rights Commission (IHRC) warning the Government that Ireland could be breaching international human rights legislation by failing to make provisions for same-sex and cohabiting couples.

The IHRC yesterday published a report by Judy Walsh and Fergus Ryan entitled The Rights of de facto Couples which claims that amendments are needed to Irish law in order to meet international standards.