Republic of Ireland
On 19 July 2010, President Mary McAleese, signed the Civil Partnership Bill into law, offering same-sex couples protections that include access to pensions, inheritance, and power of attorney, among others. It is not expected to take effect until the fall [R1.1].
On 08 July 2010, the upper parliamentary house, the Seanad, passed the Civil Partnership Cohabitation Bill in a 48 to 4 vote [R1.2].
In July 2010, a bill that would recognize the civil partnerships of same-sex couples passed the Dáil, and moved to the upper chamber for ratification [R1.3].
On 27 May 2010, legislation to give same-sex couples similar rights to married couples moved closer to enactment after it passed Committee stage in the Dáil [R1.4].
on 27 January 2010, the bill to allow gay couples the right to civil partnerships completed its second stage in the Dail. It will now go to a committee for further scrutiny [R1.5].
On 03 December 2009, a bill to allow civil partnerships was slated to be presented to parliament. The Bill would grant rights that include ones relating to domestic violence, residential tenancies, succession, refugee law, pensions and immigration [R1.6].
In June 2009, minister for justice Dermot Ahern said he would soon seek cabinet approval for a civil partnerships bill which could be enacted by the end of the year [R1.7].
In May 2009, the Health Service Executive announced plans to draw up guidelines to ensure that hospitals recognize gay and lesbian relationships and the same-sex partners of patients [R1.8].
In February 2009, the Irish Human Rights Commission said that in the context of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, the core principle of equivalence of human rights on both sides of the border suggests that civil partnership in the Republic "should, at a minimum, be akin to the principles within the Civil Partnership Act 2004 in Northern Ireland" [R1.9].
In January 2009, the government listed a Civil Partnership Bill among legislation for the spring session of Parliament [R1.10].
In June 2008, the Irish Governmnet published the General Scheme of Civil Partnership Bill which if passed would be the first time lesbian and gay relationships are recognised, supported and protected in Irish law [R1.11].
The Bill may be viewed: HERE.
Previously
The Irish Civil Partnership law was expected to be introduced in 2008 [R1.12].
A bill outlining the new proposed legislation was earlier expected to be published in March, with the legislation being introduced in the early 2008 summer. A draft version was circulated to government departments and although no date was given, the bill was expected to be published soon [R1.13].
The National Economic and Social Forum had recommended to Government that partnerships between same-sex couples should be given civil recognition and rights similar to those of married couples [R1.14].
In 2000, the Cork County Council considered a draft bylaw that would have allowed anyone in a committed relationship to register as domestic partners with the council [R1.15].
Courts & Tribunals
In September 2003, when the Equality Authority intervened, the Department of Social and Family Affairs agreed to a gay pensioner having a Free Travel Pass issued to his partner [R1.16]. |