Civil Partnership Bill introduced

Legislation to give legal recognition to gay couples for the first time has been introduced to the Dáil this evening.

The Civil Partnership Bill will convey inheritance and other rights on the registered partnerships of cohabiting gay and heterosexual couples.

Some Fianna Fail TDs had sought a 'freedom of conscience' clause which would allow civil registrars to opt out of recognising the partnerships on religious grounds.

But Justice Minister Dermot Ahern has told the Dáil that gay couples have been deprived of basic rights for too long.