Government to recognise same-sex unions

CIVIL partnerships including same-sex unions will be recognised in Ireland within the lifetime of this Government, it was announced last night.

Justice Minister Brian Lenihan and Environment Minister John Gormley both announced the Government is going to press ahead with legislation that recognises same sex partnerships and the “myriad” other forms of life partnerships without legal status in Ireland at present.

The surprise move to legislate came ahead of a Labour Party move to re-introduce its Civil Union Bill, which it introduced in the previous Dáil last February.