Civil Partnership Bill - A welcome recognition of reality

EVEN though the Civil Partnership Bill has disappointed extremist opponents and advocates equally it is a wonderful recognition of the rights and dignity of all Irish people irrespective of their sexual orientation or domestic arrangements.

Despite its unavoidably limited scope — it does not provide any right for same-sex couples with children to be legally recognised as joint parents — it is by far the most significant recent advance in social legislation.

In comparison to the visceral and bitter arguments — not to mention time wasting — on stag hunting, puppy farming and even Fine Gael’s most recent family spat, the Civil Partnership Bill is of real significance.