Ireland's Government Drafting Legislation Recognizing Same-Sex Couples

Dublin, Ireland (AHN) - The Irish government is planning on introducing legislation recognizing same-sex partnerships in 2008, however a recent decision has ruled out gay marriage as unconstitutional. According to Irish media reports, the draft bill should be ready by March.

Justice, Equality and Law Reform Minister Brian Lenihan was quoted by The Irish Times as saying that the government would move quickly to enact legislation after that.

The government rejected a civil-union proposal by the opposition Labor Party in March 2006. At the time the attorney general's reasoning was it was "contrary to the explicit recognition given to the family based on marriage in the constitution."

Surveys conducted at the time the legislation was was being debated revealed that attitudes in previously staunchly conservative Catholic country was now shifting towards the rights of all people including gays.

According to polls conducted just over half the population supported some form of legal recognition for same-sex couples.

Mark Kelly of the Irish Council for Civil Liberties welcomed the change in stance and government's reflection of the times, however he said only civil marriage for same-sex couples would achieve full equality of status with heterosexual couples.