Ahern publishes civil partnership legislation

Justice Minister Dermot Ahern has published proposed new legislation to establish a civil partnership process for same-sex couples.

The process, which will also be open to co-habiting heterosexual couples, grants improved rights in the areas of tax, inheritance and maintenance.

Many gay rights campaigners have dismissed the move as not going far enough because it fails to grant full marriage equality to LGBT couples.

However the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (GLEN) said today it strongly welcomed the publication of the Civil Partnership Bill.

“This is a major civil rights reform that will resolve many immediate and pressing issues faced by lesbian and gay couples” said Kieran Rose, Chair of GLEN, who said the Government were to be congratuled "on bringing forward this complex and comprehensive legislation and committing to its early enactment".

The Bill provides rights for same-sex couples who register their civil partnership, across a range of areas including succession, maintenance, protection of their shared home, tenancy rights, immigration, pensions and taxation.

However GLEN said a remaining concern was the issue of legal support and recognition of the many children being parented by same-sex couples.

“Inclusion of legal recognition of children being parented by same-sex couples will be critical for the welfare of these children” said Rose.