Labour Party Bill:Same-sex couples will be granted the same rights as married couples in a civil union under a new Bill published by the Labour Party yesterday.
The Civil Unions Bill, which was moved in the Dáil, allows for a "status relationship" equivalent to marriage for people who cannot marry each other under the Constitution.
The Bill also provides for same-sex couples to adopt, and sets out adoption principles in all adoption cases, including adoption by married couples.
In relation to breakdowns and disputes in civil unions, the Bill includes rules relating to annulment, separation, divorce, child custody and support, and property division and maintenance.
Launching the Bill, Labour Party justice spokesman Brendan Howlin said the legislation gives the same benefits, protections and responsibilities of married couples to people in a same-sex relationship.
He said the Bill represents a very significant step towards the provision of full equality for gay and lesbian citizens and marks a significant watershed in legislative and social history.
Mr Howlin accused the Government of showing no commitment to the introduction of such legislation and said it had been "dancing around this issue for some time".
"Despite the publication last month of the report of the working group on domestic relationships, the Government has refused to give any commitment on the introduction of legislation to allow for civil partnerships."
Mr Howlin said he believed Irish society has matured and attitudes changed sufficiently to the point where the majority of Irish people would have no problem with legislation that would provide same-sex couples with the same rights and duties generally available to married couples.
In relation to prenuptial agreements the Bill states that, to the extent that the law already recognises them, people entering a civil union may agree particular terms and conditions in the same way as people who enter a marriage.