DUBLIN, November 29, 2006  –  The Irish Equality Authority today welcomed the publication of the Report of the Working Group on Domestic Partnership.

“The report creates a valuable context within which to move forward and accord full legal recognition for same sex couples,” said the authority’s CEO Niall Crowley.

“[It] is urgent to remove the current disadvantages and difficulties experienced by same sex couples in the absence of such legal recognition and to achieve full equality in practice for gay and lesbian people.

Two options to Government to address the situation of same sex couples – civil marriage and full civil partnership – the report says.

The Report states that: “The introduction of civil marriage for same-sex couples would achieve equality of status with same-sex couples and such recognition that would underpin a wider equality for gay and lesbian people.

“Full civil partnership entails the state introducing a civil registration scheme which extends the full range of rights and duties of marriage to same sex couples”.

However, it further notes that: “Full civil partnership falls short of full equality for same sex couples as it excludes such families from the protection given to the family in the constitution”.

Mr. Crowley pointed out that the Equality Authority had previously recommended the introduction of civil marriage for same sex couples.

“The Working Group have valuably recognised this option and highlighted its centrality for achieving equality for lesbian and gay people,” he said.

“The report suggests that civil marriage is likely to be vulnerable to constitutional challenge.  This would need to be tested.

“It should also be noted that a failure to introduce marriage is also vulnerable to constitutional challenge as is evidenced by the Zappone/Gilligan case that is currently awaiting judgement.

“We hope that the Report will provide a stimulus for Government to introduce civil marriage for same sex couples as a matter of urgency,” he concluded.

In Brussels, the European Parliament’s intergroup on gay and lesbian rights expressed its desire for the Irish Government to take the next logical step.

With the survey highlighting that more than 80% of Irish nationals were in favour of equal legal rights for same-sex couples as heterosexual couples, Ireland’s people’s have signalled their readiness to create a truly egalitarian society, the intergroup suggested.

It urged the Irish government to ‘fast-track’ legislation that would create the necessary legal framework to permit same-sex couples to enjoy the same legal rights.

“The Irish people have spoken with great maturity and clearly are ready to follow in Spain’s example,” said Michael Cashman MEP (Labour/PES, UK), president of the intergroup.

“Now it is time for the Government to do just that,” he added.