Anger at Govt's bid to deny lesbian couple tax relief

The Government’s attempt to deny legal rights to a same-sex couple married in Canada is shameful, it was claimed today.

Katherine Zappone and Ann Louise Gilligan are seeking to have the Revenue Commissioners recognise their Canadian marriage and treat them as a married couple under the tax acts.

In November, the lesbian couple from Brittas, Dublin, were granted leave by the High Court to challenge the decision to deny them married couples’ tax relief.

Today the Green Party described the Government’s intention to contest the legal action being brought the couple as shameful.

Green Party Justice spokesperson Ciaran Cuffe said the issue was one of human rights.

“I believe that this will cost the Government and the Irish taxpayers more in the long run if the case is defended,” he said.

“The Government should grant this couple the same rights as other married couples under Irish tax laws.

“They should also ensure that cohabitees are treated favourably under our taxation codes.

“The Government must realise that the world has changed and they must modify our laws accordingly,” Mr Cuffe said.