Look who’s worried about colossal tax implications of gay marriage

IT’S remarkable that when there’s a threat that the State might have to spend money on something other than a minister’s extravagance - like somebody’s rights - there are colossal implications for the exchequer.

That was the view of Justice Minister Michael McDowell earlier this year and it has not changed after the lesbian couple were given leave by the High Court to take a legal challenge to have their Canadian marriage recognised.

If they are successful, the revenue commissioners will have to treat them as a married couple for tax purposes.