Adoption law is discriminatory, says Shatter

Laws preventing same-sex couples from adopting are “discriminatory” and make “little sense” Alan Shatter, the justice minister, has said.

Extending adoption rights to gay couples is expected to be dealt with in a second piece of legislation on the issue of parentage to go through the Dáil before a referendum is held on same- sex marriage.

The Government has already committed to passing legislation dealing with guardianship and parenting and custody in the Family Relationships and Children Bill to be published by Christmas.