Madam, - The Labour Party's LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender) section warmly welcomes the first same-sex civil partnership ceremonies in Northern Ireland and asks that the Irish Government address the equality deficit that now exists for lesbian and gay couples in the Republic. Under the Good Friday Agreement the Irish Government is required to ensure "at least an equivalent level of protection of human rights as will pertain in Northern Ireland".
The Labour Party has supported giving same-sex couples legal recognition and protection for their civil unions through civil partnerships since 1996 and Labour LGBT adopted a policy in 2005 of lifting the ban on State registration of civil marriage for lesbian and gay couples in Ireland.
The announcement by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform that he is to form a working group to examine options for the Government on a form of civil partnership for same-sex couples is welcome, though we have a sense of deja vu.
Following the reports of the Law Reform Commission, NESF and Equality Authority, how many reports do we actually need? And how widely will the LGBT community be consulted on this issue? Minister McDowell has previously announced his intentions in this area, which now seem, on the face of it, to have been a holding tactic to see which way the wind was blowing.
Might the Minister be incapable of taking his equality portfolio seriously? When does equality for the LGBT community actually amount to equality - no more no less? - Yours, etc,
RACHEL MATHEWS McKAY, RICHIE KEANE, Co-Chairs, Labour LGBT, Ely Place, Dublin 2.
Madam, - Perhaps Niall Crowley is right when he suggests that there is a "significant societal shift" in our attitude to civil marriage for homosexuals (Opinion & Analysis, December 21st). But just to be on the safe side, we should canvass the opinion of the Irish people on this issue and hold a referendum. - Yours, etc,
MIKE HEELAN, Sion Road, Glenageary, Co Dublin.