Ireland: Debate Begins on Civil Partnership Bill

Gay rights groups have today called for a number of reforms to the Civil Partnership Bill which is set to be debated by the Dáil this evening as part of its progress into law. The Bill, published in June, grants same-sex couples who register their civil partnership a range of entitlements and protections in the areas of taxation, social welfare, succession and protection of the couple’s shared home. However some advocacy groups have highlighted areas in which they think the Bill does not go far enough, with many today calling for the Government to afford same-sex couples the same legal recognition as married couples. While hailing the Bill as a “major civil rights reform” and a “great achievement for Irish society”, the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (GLEN) said a “critical omission” in the Bill is the lack of legal support and recognition of the children being parented by same-sex couples. Full Story from the Irish Examiner: http://www.examiner.ie/breakingnews/ireland/civil-partnership-bill-does-not-go-far-enough-436813.html 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.