Madam, - Your Editorial "Recognising the Rights of Couples" (December 4th) rightly points out some of the hardships faced by Irish same-sex couples, who cannot have their commitment to each other recognised by the State.
However, it also makes the utterly bizarre claim that "full civil partnerships for same-sex couples. . .might be problematic for opposite-sex couples, as it would set up a competing institution to constitutionally protected marriage".
This is an odd statement that ill befits your paper for two reasons. Firstly, there is the obvious logical flaw that, since such a scheme would be unavailable to those entitled to marry (i.e. opposite-sex couples), and marriage is unavailable to the tiny minority for whom the scheme is intended (i.e. same-sex couples), the two "institutions" could never compete.
Secondly, the only "problematic" issue I can think of is one of perception: some married couples might feel their marrriages would be devalued by according near-equality to same-sex couples. Since the only possible basis for such a perception is prejudice toward gay people, I suggest it is not one for which a civil society (and a reputable newspaper) should have any sympathy.
As to your apparent preference for a "limited civil partnership" involving à-la-carte rights and duties, I can only say that this gay man is less interested in tax credits than in being treated as an equal - no better nor worse than any other member of Irish society.
When I decide to settle for good with my partner, and take on the huge duty of care which that entails, the only way to make sure I do it properly is with the binding responsibility of a marriage certificate. - Yours, etc,
PAUL KENNY, Clanbrassil Street, Dublin 8.