New family Bill 'most important in State's history': Taoiseach

The Taoiseach has said the new Child and Family Relationships Bill is "the most important change in family legislation since the foundation of the State".

Once enacted the Bill, which will be signed off by Ministers this morning, will allow gay couples to adopt and also expand on guardianship rights for unmarried fathers and wider family members.

Meanwhile, the Health Minister Leo Varadkar is bringing forward new legislation to address surrogacy for the first time.

It is expected to ban "commercial" surrogacy and require at least one person involved in the arrangement to be a genetic parent.

Enda Kenny says the new Bills are crucial, and will get due care.

"It's the most important change in family legislation since the foundation of the State, a really important Bill," he said.

"It requires adequate time for discussion, and it will get that."

A lobby group, however, claims the bill devalues motherhood and fatherhood.

Mothers and Fathers Matter said every child has the right to their natural mother and father.

Chairman of the group, Ray Kinsella said the bill doesn't protect the rights of the child to their natural parents.

"Children's rights are hugely important … and there is no more basic right than the right of a child to their natural mother and father," he said.

"What we see in the bill is a systematic attempt to remove that so-important element - the protection of children."