Equal parent rights for gay couples

Gay couples will get equal parenting rights regardless of whether the referendum on same sex marriage is passed.

Justice Minister Alan Shatter intends bringing in laws by the end of the year to extend guardianship, custody, and access rights to the non-biological parents of children in same-sex relationships and children born through surrogacy and sperm and egg donation.

However, he also said the more controversial issue of adoption by same-sex couples and civil partners would be legislated for no matter how the outcome of next year’s referendum goes.