A GROUP working for gay and lesbian rights in the Church of Ireland yesterday called for the Government to bring in legislation to ensure that civil partners are given the same entitlements as spouses in pension schemes.
Draft legislation on civil partnerships is expected from the Government by the end of this month. Civil partnerships between same-sex couples are currently not recognised in this State.
Changing Attitudes Ireland called for the Government to "legislate for equal treatment between civil partners and spouses in both state and occupational pension schemes" and provide "no less equality for gays and lesbians in the Republic than is already available in Northern Ireland".
Civil partnerships were introduced in Northern Ireland in 2005 giving same-sex couples similar legal rights as married couples, including pension benefits.
The Church of Ireland's confirmation that it gives equal pension rights to surviving civil partners and surviving spouses was welcomed by Changing Attitudes Ireland. The church has treated civil partners on an equal footing since the introduction of the legislation in the UK in 2005, a Church of Ireland representative said yesterday.
The rights of civil partners are a legal requirement in Northern Ireland and there is no exception for churches under this legislation as there has previously been under some equality legislation, the representative said.
The Government should "match the commitment of the Church of Ireland to social justice and end its discrimination against same-sex couples in the Republic", said Changing Attitudes Ireland yesterday.
The draft Civil Partnership Bill is expected to allow same-sex couples to avail of legal benefits and protection.
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