In December 2006, The Law Reform Commission published a report concerning the rights and duties of co-habitants. The remit of the report was to find ways of safeguarding
and strengthening the rights of unmarried couples. The report was driven by the principle of equality in that no distinction was drawn between the rights and responsibilities
of heterosexual and same-sex couples.
To Read Report
To Read GLEN Press Release
In May 2006, the Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell, established a Working Group on Domestic Partnership to advise the government on how to proceed in this area.
Lawyer Anne Colley was appointed Chairperson and GLEN was represented on the working group by our Director of Policy Change Eoin Collins.
In November 2006, they delivered their report to Minister McDowell. It set out two options for the government to consider –
extending marriage to same –sex couples or full civil partnership which would contain all the rights and responsibilities associated with marriage
The report stated that marriage was the full equality option.
To Read Report
To Read GLEN Press Release
Labour launch Civil Unions Bill
The Labour Party unveiled their Civil Unions Bill in Dublin today which aims to mirror the rights and responsibilities associated
with marriage.
To read The Bill
Party leader Pat Rabbitte's speech
Justice Spokesperson Brendan Howlin's speech
View Slideshow
Speech by Labour Justice Spokesperson Brendan Howlin
Speech by Tánaiste and Justice Minister Michael McDowell
Speech by Fianna Fail TD Barry Andrews
Speech by Labour leader Pat Rabbitte
Speech by Deputy Labour Leader Liz McManus
In 2002, The Equality Authority issued a report entitled ‘Implementing Equality for Lesbians, Gays and Bisexuals’
To Read Report
In January 2006, the report of The All–Party Oireachtas Committee On The Constitution was launched by An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.
The Committee came out in favour of legal recognition of same-sex relationships and for ‘marriage like ’ privileges to be extended to them.
To Read Report
A number of political parties have also formulated policy proposals in the area of relationship recognition. A detailed description of their proposals is contained here
