DOZENS OF same-sex couples are making plans to apply to register their civil partnerships in the new year following the coming into force of the Civil Partnership Act. Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern has signed the commencement order allowing the law to come into force on January 1st.
The Act provides for the legal recognition of same-sex relationships and for granting certain protections to cohabiting couples when they break up through separation or death. It provides for similar rights for same-sex as for married couples in relation to property, social welfare, succession, maintenance, pensions and tax. It also provides for the dissolution of such partnerships.
Also next year, the Supreme Court will consider an appeal seeking to establish the right of a lesbian couple to marry. In 2006, Katherine Zappone and Ann-Louise Gilligan brought an unsuccessful High Court action seeking to have their Canadian marriage recognised in Ireland. They appealed the ruling to the Supreme Court, but the appeal has yet to be heard.
Full Story from The Irish Times
Click here for gay marriage resources.
To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.
