Government Must Legislate for Same Sex Couples
14 Dec 2006
The High Court ruling in the Zappone-Gilligan case demonstrates the urgent need for government to introduce legislation to recognise same sex relationships, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions said today.
Following rejection of Dr Katherine Zappone and Dr Ann Louise Gilligan's bid to have their Canadian marriage recognised in Ireland, Congress Equality Officer David Joyce said: "The ruling illustrates the lack of protection afforded to same sex couples and relationships. The message this sends out is that such relationships are second class.
"Lack of legal recognition results in serious disadvantages across a whole range of areas, including employment, taxation, inheritance and immigration. Government needs to act urgently to remedy this obvious inequality.
"The recent publication of the Options Paper on Domestic Partnership (prepared by a Working Group established by the current Tanaiste) together with the Law Reform Commission's Report on the Rights and Duties of Cohabitants, provides clear guidance on these matters and should be acted on as a matter of urgency," Mr Joyce concluded.
ends