Government set to publish law on civil partnerships

THE GOVERNMENT will publish its legislative proposals recognising civil partnerships, including same-sex unions, by early next month, The Irish Times understands.

Minister for Justice Brian Lenihan and Minister for the Environment John Gormley both promised last November the Government would publish the "heads" of a bill recognising partnerships by the end of March.

According to Government sources, discussions between Fianna Fáil and the Greens are now at an advanced stage. The sources said that draft legislation should be published at the beginning of April.

The Programme for Government contains a commitment to give legal recognition by 2012 to unions between same-sex partners as well as to the "myriad" other forms of life partnership that enjoy no legal status at present.

Last November, the Labour Party reintroduced a private members bill on civil partnership that it had first tabled in February 2007. At the time the Greens, then in opposition, had backed the proposal.

The party denied in November that the move by Labour to re-table the bill had panicked it into action. Announcing the proposals before Christmas, Mr Lenihan said the legislation would also give recognition to siblings living together, companion-style arrangements and other heterosexual relationships that have no status at present.

© 2008 The Irish Times

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times