Recognition of same-sex unions in Ireland
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{{gay unions}}
The '''[[Republic of Ireland]]''' does not recognise '''[[civil union]]s''' or [[same-sex marriage]]s and there is very little provision for unmarried [[cohabitation|cohabiting]] couples, whether [[homosexuality|homosexual]] or [[heterosexuality|heterosexual]]. Since 2008, the other states among the [[European Union]] who do not recognize same-sex couples are [[Bulgaria]], [[Cyprus]], [[Estonia]], [[Greece]], [[Italy]], [[Latvia]], [[Lithuania]], [[Malta]], [[Poland]], [[Romania]] and [[Slovakia]].
The situation has been under investigation by various Government bodies since 2002. In January 2006, then [[Taoiseach]] [[Bertie Ahern]] endorsed the report of an [[Oireachtas]] committee which recommended registered Civil Partnerships. A Government working group recommended in November 2006 that full civil partnership would address the majority of issues. In response to the oppositon bill of October 2007 (see below), the [[Government of the 30th Dáil|current Government]] has committed itself to introducing a bill for Registered Civil Partnerships by [[31 March]] [[2008]], a policy agreed in its programme for Government,<ref>{{cite news | first=Tony | last=Grew | coauthors= | title=Irish Government to introduce civil partnerships | date=2007-11-01 | publisher=[[Pink News]] | url =http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/politics/2005-5930.html | work = | pages = | accessdate = 2007-11-18 | language =English }}</ref> a date which it failed to meet. Details of the proposed legislation were officially published on 24 June 2008; and the government hopes for it to be law within a year.
The 2006 [[Republic of Ireland|Irish]] [[census]] revealed 121,000 cohabiting couples, up from 77,000 in 2002. This included 2,090 in same-sex relationships, up from 1300.<ref>{{cite web|author=[http://www.cso.ie Census Office]|year=2007|
url=http://www.cso.ie/census/documents/PDR%202006%20Commentary.pdf|
title=Census 2006 Principal Demographic Results - Commentary|format=PDF|accessdate=2007-05-01}}</ref>
== Current legal position ==
Some test cases were taken in the 1990s challenging the legal non-recognition, but were not successful. Examples are those of a man who sought to use his partners free-travel rights, and of a man whose partner, the leaseholder of their residence, died.
In March 2004, there was controversy in the [[Dáil Éireann|Dáil]] surrounding a definition of 'spouse' when it was claimed that the [[Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Ireland)|Minister for Social and Family Affairs]], [[Mary Coughlan (politician)|Mary Coughlan]] was seeking to exclude non-married partners from Social welfare legislation.<ref>
{{cite news
| url = http://www.rte.ie/news/2004/0311/gay.html
| publisher = RTÉ News
| title = Government accused of bid to withdraw gay rights
| date = 11 March, 2004}}</ref><ref>
{{cite news
| url = http://www.oireachtas-debates.gov.ie/D/0582/D.0582.200403110004.html
| publisher = [[Oireachtas|Oireachtas Debate Transcripts]]
| title = Dáil Debates on 2004 Social Welfare Legislation
| date = 11 March 2004
}}</ref> The exclusion was a Government response to a finding by the Equality Tribunal that a gay couple was discriminated against in travel privileges.
In 2004, section 2(2)(e) of the Civil Registration Act set out what was previously the common law exclusion of same sex couples from the institution of marriage.
In a 2003 case, "Karner v Austria", the [[European Court of Human Rights]] held that cohabiting same-sex partners are entitled to the same rights as unmarried cohabiting opposite-sex partners in certain circumstances.<ref>{{cite news
| url = http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/2003/07/31/story939558095.asp
| publisher = [[Irish Examiner]]
| title = Karner v Austria ECHR ruling on cohabiting rights
| date = 31 July 2003}}</ref> However there are currently no defined rights for any cohabiting partners in Ireland.
During his November 2004 nomination hearings, [[European Union]] Justice [[European Commission|Commissioner]] [[Franco Frattini]] said that states are obliged to recognise the family life of couples in non-marital relationships under the provisions regarding free-movement of people from one state to another in the [[Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union|EU Charter of Fundamental Rights]]. The charter has been incorporated into the proposed [[European Constitution]] which would give it a legal basis under the [[European Court of Justice]].<ref>{{cite news
| url = http://www.eupolitix.com/EN/News/200411/e2733571-ddd2-4ed0-a594-9ed47f5b264f.htm
| publisher = EUpolitix.com
| title = Report on Frattini nomination hearings
| date = 15 November 2004}}</ref> In May 2006 a reform of EU residency rules took effect, including the right of gay couples to reside anywhere in the EU and have their relationship 'facilitated'.<ref>{{cite news
|url = http://www.365gay.com/Newscon06/05/050206europe.htm
|publisher = 365gay.com
|title = New EU Residency rules
|date = 2 May 2006}}</ref>
In January 2006, the Irish Equality Authority suggested that there is a legal requirement on the Irish Government under the [[Belfast Agreement]] to provide the same level of human rights as in Northern Ireland, where [[Civil partnerships in the United Kingdom|UK Civil Partnerships]] have been available since December 2005.
In a December 2006 judgement in the 'KAL Case' (see below), the Irish High Court held that marriage as defined in the Irish Constitution was between a man and a woman and that there was no breach of rights in the refusal of the Revenue Commissioners to recognise foreign same-sex marriages.
== Public debate ==
[[Image:Same sex marriage map Europe detailed.svg|right|300px|thumb|A diagram showing the varying regulation by country of same-sex unions throughout Europe.
{{legend|#980098|Same sex marriage recognised}}
{{legend|#0000FF|Civil unions recognised}}
{{legend|#009800|Unregistered cohabitation recognised}}
{{legend|#FFFF00|Issue under political consideration}}
{{legend|#FF9800|Unrecognised or unknown}}
{{legend|#FF0000|Same sex marriage banned|}}]]
Since the decriminalisation of homosexual sex in 1993, there have been no high-profile [[gay rights]] campaigns in Ireland. However, Irish media has increasingly covered international developments in the same-sex partnerships issue,<ref>{{cite news
| url = http://www.rte.ie/news/2001/0401/gaymarriage.html
| publisher = RTÉ News
| title = Introduction of gay marriage in the Netherlands
| date = 1 April, 2001}}
</ref><ref>{{cite news
| url = http://www.rte.ie/news/2003/0731/57live.html
| publisher = RTÉ News
| title = FiveSevenLive - Vatican Condems same sex unions
| date = 31 July 2003}}
</ref><ref>{{cite news
| url = http://www.rte.ie/news/2004/0517/gay.html
| publisher = RTÉ News
| title = Massachusetts sanctions gay marriage
| date = 17 May 2005}}
</ref><ref>{{cite news
| url = http://www.rte.ie/news/2005/0629/canada.html
| publisher = RTÉ News
| title = Legalisation of gay marriage in Canada
| date = 29 June 2005}}</ref> particularly since 2001. This has included coverage of reports on the issue, legal cases taken by gay Irish couples, surrogate parenthood,<ref>{{cite news
| url = http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/2001/08/07/story9692.asp
| publisher = Irish Examiner
| title = Surrogate Parenthood
| date = 7 August, 2001}}</ref> adoption,<ref>{{cite news
| url = http://www.rte.ie/news/2002/0624/qanda.html
| publisher = RTÉ TV - Question and Answers
| title = Gay Adoption
| date = 24 June 2002}}</ref> extra-legal same-sex unions, blessings and the foreign partnerships of Irish politicians.<ref>{{cite news
| url = http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/2004/05/14/story703224874.asp
| publisher = Irish Examiner
| title = Irish politicians - Partnerships
| date = 14 May 2004}}
</ref><ref>{{cite news
| url = http://www.rte.ie/news/2005/0203/paisleyi.html
| publisher = RTÉ News
| title = Paisley censured for homophobic remarks
| date = 3 February, 2005}}</ref> There was extensive coverage of the 2005 introduction of Civil Partnerships in the UK,<ref>{{cite news
| url = http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/2005/12/20/story176854620.asp
| publisher = Irish Examiner
| title = Introduction of Civil Partnerships in the United Kingdom
| date = 20 December 2005}}</ref> which applies to Northern Ireland.
Irish Legislators began to comment publicly from 2003,<ref>{{cite news
| url = http://www.rte.ie/news/2003/0807/primetime.html
| publisher = RTÉ TV - Prime Time
| title = Debate on gay marriage
| date = 7 August 2003}}</ref> demonstrating some awareness of the issues involved and tentatively suggesting legislation, but some also referring to Catholic teachings.<ref>{{cite news
| url = http://www.rte.ie/news/2003/0801/morningireland.html
| publisher = RTÉ News - Morning Ireland
| title = Discussion on gay marriage
| date = 1 August 2003}}</ref> There has been no significant public adverse reaction, with a 2005 online poll showing most respondents seeing some recognition as inevitable and acceptable.<ref>{{cite news
| url = http://www.rte.ie/comments/gaymarriages.html
| publisher = RTÉ News|title=Online Poll on Attitude to Gay Marriage
| date = Mid 2005
}}</ref> More rigorous public polls taken during 2006<ref>{{cite news
| url = http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/index.cfm/fuseaction/viewItem/itemID/10964
| publisher = [[Ipsos-Reid|Angus Reid]]|title=National survey on same-sex partnerships
| date = 22 February 2006
}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
| url = http://www.irishexaminer.com/pport/web/opinion/Full_Story/did-sguKAKsVNSoOEsgDQQ5wn3uAIg.asp
| publisher = [[Irish Examiner]]|title=Report on national survey on same-sex patnerships
| date = February 21 2006}}
</ref><ref>{{cite news
| url = http://www.rte.ie/news/2006/1021/gaymarriage.html
| publisher = [[RTE News]]|title=Sunday Tribune poll on same-sex patnerships
| date = 21 October 2006}}
</ref><ref>{{cite news
| url = http://breakingnews.ie/ireland/?jp=CWIDGBEYCWOJ
| publisher = BreakingNews.ie|title=80% believe gay couples deserved legal recognition - Survey
| date = 24 November 2006}}</ref> showed an increasing majority of the population, up to 80%, supporting the introduction of some partnership rights for gay couples, with a slim majority favouring full marriage. The numbers in favour of [[gay adoption]] were lower but less clear.
Some public and religious figures, including bishops in the Catholic Church,<ref>{{cite news
| url = http://www.rte.ie/news/2004/1116/morningireland.html
| publisher = RTÉ News
| title = Catholic Bishop on gay partnerships
| date = 16 November 2004}}
</ref> and in the Church of Ireland<ref>{{cite news
| url = http://www.rte.ie/news/2004/0310/homosexual.html
| publisher = RTÉ News
| title = Church of Ireland Bishop on gay partnerships
| date = 10 March 2004}}</ref> also proposed legal recognition in 2004, but in a form different to marriage.
At the [[Irish general election, 2002|2002 General Election]] only the manifesto of the [[Green Party (Ireland)|Green Party]] explicitly referred to the rights of gay couples, but from 2004 all political parties, including the then Fianna Fáil/Progressive Democrat government, produced polices or made statements in favour of varying forms of recognition.<ref>{{cite news
| url = http://www.rte.ie/news/2004/0624/gay.html
| publisher = RTÉ News|title=Fine Gael Same-sex partnership proposal
| date = 24 June 2004
}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/4012713.stm
| publisher = [[BBC News]]|title=Taoisearch Ahern on Better Rights for Couples
| date = 15 November 2004
}}</ref><ref>[[Irish Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform|Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform]] [[Michael McDowell]] of the [[Progressive Democrats]] said in 2004 that Ireland should pursue civil partnerships.</ref><ref>{{cite news
| url = http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/breaking/2006/1214/breaking46.htm
| publisher = Irish Times|title=Labour launches civil union Bill
| date = 14 December 2006
}}</ref> In 2004 Fine Gael was the first party to launch an explicit policy document supporting civil partnerships.<ref>{{cite news
| url = http://www.thegayvote.ie/parties/finegael.htm
| publisher = The Gay Vote
| date = May 2007
}}</ref>
In the run-up to the [[Irish general election, 2007|2007 general election]], the manifestos of all parties supported Civil Unions for same-sex couples with Sinn Féin and the Green Party<ref>
{{cite news
| url = http://www.greenparty.ie/en/policies/marriage_and_partnership_rights
| publisher = Green Party|title=Green Party policy on partnership rights and gay marriage
| date = 12 October 2006
}}</ref> supporting full civil marriage. Fine Gael ran advertisements in [[GCN]] (Gay Community News) advertising its commitments to same-sex couples.
The most recent survey, carried out in [[2008]], showed that 84% of Irish people supported civil marriage or civil partnerships for gay and lesbian couples, with 58% (up from 51%) supporting full marriage rights in registry offices. The number who believe homosexuals should only be allowed to have civil partnerships fell in the same period, from 33% to 26%.<ref>
{{cite news
| url = http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/mhojojeyauid/
| publisher = BreakingNews.ie|title=Increased support for gay marriage - Survey
| date = 31 March 2008
}}</ref> A later [[The Irish Times|Irish Times]] online poll, put support for same-sex marriage at 63%, up a further 5%.<ref>[http://scripts.ireland.com/polls/breaking/index.cfm?fuseaction=yesnopoll&pollid=8376&subsiteid=356]</ref>
== The 'KAL' Recognition Case ==
In November 2004 lesbian couple Katherine Zappone and Ann Louise Gilligan (K & AL) were granted leave by the [[Courts of the Republic of Ireland|Irish High Court]] to pursue a claim to have their September 2003 [[Same-sex marriage in British Columbia|Vancouver marriage]] recognised for the filing of joint tax returns in Ireland.<ref>{{cite news
| url = http://www.rte.ie/news/2004/1109/gay.html
| publisher = [[RTÉ News]]
| title = Launch of the Gilligan/Zappone tax case
| date = 9 November 2004
}}</ref> Justice McKechnie said that the case was significant and would embrace far-reaching issues touching many aspects of society. Lead barrister, Gerard Hogan, argued that neither the 1937 Irish constitution nor more recent tax laws specifically define marriage as between one man and one woman. Following a delay, the Government announced in April 2005 that it would contest the case on the basis of advice from the Attorney General that it would prevail.
The case attracted media coverage in [[The Boston Globe]]<ref>{{cite news
| url = http://www.boston.com/news/world/europe/articles/2005/12/30/same_sex_couples_lawsuit_a_test_of_tolerance_in_ireland
| publisher = [[The Boston Globe]]
| title = Report on the Gilligan/Zapponne case
| date = 30 December 2005
}}</ref> and the couple were interviewed on the [[The Late Late Show]].<ref>{{cite news
| url = http://www.rte.ie/tv/latelate/20060310.html
| publisher = [[RTÉ One|RTE TV]]
| title = Interview with Ann-Louise Gilligan/Katherine Zapponne
| date = 10 March 2006
}}</ref>
The court case began on [[3 October]] [[2006]].<ref>{{cite news
| url = http://www.rte.ie/news/2006/1003/samesex.html
| publisher = [[RTÉ One|RTE TV]]
| title = Case of Ann-Louise Gilligan/Katherine Zapponne
| date = 3 October 2006
}}</ref> and concluded on [[13 October ]]. Judgement<ref>{{cite web|author=[http://www.Kalcase.org KalCase.org]|year=2006|
url=http://www.kalcase.org/KAL%20Zappone_v_Rev_Commrs_Judgement.doc|
title=Judgement of the Case of Ann-Louise Gilligan and Katherine Zapponne|format=DOC|accessdate=2006-12-14}}
</ref> was delivered on the [[14 December]] [[2006]]<ref>{{cite news
| url = http://www.rte.ie/news/2006/1214/gay.html
| publisher = [[RTÉ One|RTE TV]]
| title = Lesbian couple lose marriage recognition case.
| date = 14 December 2006
}}</ref> Ms. Justice Dunne found that although a 'living document', the Irish constitution had always meant for marriage to be between a man and a woman, that the definitions used in the Civil Registration Act of 2004 was an expression of the current attitudes of the state and that she could find no reason to change that. Further, she found that the constitution did not violate the plaintiffs rights under European law. The judgement did say, however, that the topic is very much in the news and that there were undoubtedly difficultes and hardships for same-sex and unmarried heterosexual couples and that
:''"It is to be hoped that the legislative changes to ameliorate these difficulties will not be long in coming. Ultimately, it is for the legislature to determine the extent to which such changes should be made."''
Of note, her judgement did not explicitly opine that same-sex marriage if agreed by the Oireachtas, would be unconstitutional. On [[23 February ]] [[2007]] the case was appealed to the [[Supreme Court (Ireland)|Supreme Court]]. There is no known timeframe for the Supreme Court Hearing.<ref>{{cite news
| url = http://www.rte.ie/news/2007/0223/gay.html
| publisher = [[RTÉ One|RTE TV]]
| title = Lesbian couple take case to Supreme Court
| date = 23 February 2007
}}</ref>
== Law Reform Commission ==
In December 2000, as part of the Second Programme of Law Reform, the Government requested the Law Reform Commission of Ireland to examine the Rights and Duties of co-habitees. In April 2004, the commission published a consultation paper<ref>{{cite web|author=[http://www.lawreform.ie Law Reform Commission]|year=2004|
url=http://www.lawreform.ie/files/Cohabitees%20CP%20%20April%202004.pdf|
title=The Law Reform Recommendations|format=PDF|accessdate=2006-02-02}}
</ref> with provisional recommendations on legal issues related to cohabiting relationships.<ref>{{cite news
| url = http://www.rte.ie/news/2004/0427/cohabitation.html
| publisher = RTÉ News|title=Release of the Law Reform Commission Recommendations
| date = April 27, 2004
}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
| url = http://www.rte.ie/news/2004/0506/primetime.html
| publisher = RTÉ News|title=Prime Time report on the Law Reform Commission Recommendations
| date = 6 May 2004
}}</ref> The report included an analysis of issues for same-sex couples. Following responses, the final report<ref>{{cite web|author=[http://www.lawreform.ie Law Reform Commission]|year=2006|
url=http://www.lawreform.ie/Cohabitants%20Report%20Dec%201st%202006.pdf|
title=The Law Reform Final Recommendations|format=PDF|accessdate=2006-12-02}}
</ref> was launched in December 2006 by Justice Minster McDowell.<ref>
{{cite news
| url = http://breakingnews.iol.ie/news/story.asp?j=166679820&p=y6668x4xx
| publisher = BreakingNews.ie|title=Law Reform:Report seeks improved rights for unregistered couples
| date = 1 December 2006
}}</ref>
The consultation proposals called for legal 'presumed' recognition of ''qualifying'' cohabiting relationships. ''Qualifying Cohabitees'' were defined as unmarried same-sex or opposite-sex cohabiting couples in a 'marriage-like' relationships of 2 years (or 3 years in some cases), to be determined by the courts.
The commission reviewed such areas as property, succession, maintenance, pensions, social welfare and tax and recommended some changes in the law to provide rights for qualifying co-habitees. These rights would be applied by the court on application as distinct from the 'automatic' rights of legal marriage. The commission took care not to propose anything which would equate co-habitation with marriage due to concerns that such a proposal might violate the constitutional protection of the family.
The paper also included recommendations on other steps that cohabiting couples should take such writing wills, defining power of attorney etc.
== Other Statutory Bodies and NGOs ==
Since 2002, various statutory bodies have issued reports calling for recognition of homosexual and de-facto heterosexual relationships.
'''Equality Authority:''' In January 2001, the authority produced a report
on Same-sex partnerships in Ireland,<ref>{{cite web|author=[http://www.equality.ie Equality Authority]|year=2001|
url=http://www.equality.ie/stored-files/PDF/Partnership_Rights_of_Same_Sex_Couples.pdf|
title=Report on Same-sex couples|format=PDF|accessdate=2006-02-02}}
</ref>
which it had commissioned to inform its own debate. In May 2002, the Equality Authority issued its formal report on Equality for Lesbians Gays and Bisexuals,<ref>{{cite web|author=[http://www.equality.ie Equality Authority]|year=2002|
url=http://www.equality.ie/stored-files/PDF/LGB.pdf|
title=Report on LGB Equality|format=PDF|accessdate=2006-02-02}}
</ref> which highlighted the lack of recognition for same-sex couples in Irish law. In a departure from the norm, the report recommended legislative changes. These were to give legal recognition to same-sex couples, to provide equality with married couples in the areas of adoption, inheritance and taxation to eliminate discrimination.
'''NESF:''' In April 2003, the National Economic and Social Forum (NESF) published Report 27 –<ref>{{cite web|author=[http://www.nesf.ie NESF]|year=2003|
url=http://www.nesf.ie/dynamic/docs/nesf_27.pdf|
title=Report 27 - LGB Rights|format=PDF|accessdate=2006-02-02}}
</ref> The implementation of Equality policies for Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual people. The recommendations included calls for the Law Reform Commission to consider models to achieve equal rights for same-sex couples in its then upcoming report.
'''Human Rights Commission:''' In a report on de facto couples<ref>{{cite web|author=[http://www.ihrc.ie Human Rights Commission]|year=2006|
url=http://www.ihrc.ie/_fileupload/banners/DeFactocouples.pdf|
title=Report on deFacto couples|format=PDF|accessdate=2006-05-12}}</ref> presented to the Justice Minister in May 2006, the Irish Human Rights Commission evaluated international standards in dealing with unmarried couples, and assessed the changes needed in Irish law from a human rights perspective.<ref>{{cite news
| url = http://www.rte.ie/news/2006/0512/gay.html
| publisher = RTÉ News
| title = Release of the ICHR Report
| date = 12 May 2006
}}</ref> They called for legal recognition of all de facto relationships, but did not call for civil marriage to be made available to same-sex couples.
'''Irish Council for Civil Liberties:''' Legal recognition of partnership rights and addressing inequalities in family law are a strategic objective of the ICCL for 2004–2009.<ref>{{cite web|author=[http://www.iccl.ie Irish Council for Civil Liberties]|year=2005|
url=http://iccl.ie/DB_Data/issues/Equality_10013_PartnershipRights.htm|
title=Iniative on Relationships Equality|format=HTML|accessdate=2006-05-12}}
</ref> In a December 2004 submission they welcomed the Law Reform proposals,<ref>{{cite web|author=[http://www.iccl.ie Irish Council for Civil Liberties]|year=2004|
url=http://www.iccl.ie/about/05_LawReformCommissionSubmissionPartnershipRights.pdf|
title=December 2004 Submission on Law Reform Commission partnerships proposals|format=PDF|accessdate=2005-03-22}}
</ref> but said that registered unions were necessary. In a radio interview in 2005 the partnerships officer said that full civil marriage would not be likely to succeed in a referendum. However, their May 2006 report on the issue—"Equality for All Families"–<ref>{{cite web|author=[http://www.iccl.ie Irish Council for Civil Liberties]|year=2004|
url=http://iccl.ie/DB_Data/publications/EqualityForAllFamilies1.pdf|
title=ICCL - Equality for all Families|format=PDF|accessdate=2006-06-26}}
</ref> launched by ICCL founder [[Kader Asmal]], called for legislated partnership registration and revisions to the constitutional provisions on civil marriage and the family, to give improved protection to children. This revision, which may require a referendum, should include a right to marry irrespective of sexual orientation.<ref>{{cite news
| url = http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-1568.html
| publisher = [[Pink news]]
| title = ICCL Pushes for gay equality
| date = 24 May 2006
}}</ref>
== The constitutional review ==
The All-Party [[Oireachtas]] Committee on the [[Constitution of Ireland|Constitution]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.constitution.ie|
title=Constitution Review Committee Website |accessdate=2006-06-08}}
</ref> re-established in December 2002, has been conducting a review of the entire constitution. In October 2004 it invited submissions on the Articles related to the family.<ref>{{cite news
| url = http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/front/2004/1018/171396018HM1GAYMARRIAGE.html
| publisher = [[The Irish Times]]
| title = The constitutional Review Launch
| date = 18 October 2004
}}</ref> Chairman [[Denis O'Donovan]] TD stated that it was examining these Articles ''to ascertain the extent to which they are serving the good of individuals and the community, with a view to deciding whether changes in them would bring about a greater balance between the two''. Among the many issues raised by the committee were the definition of the family and the rights of gay couples to marry.
The relevant provisions are Articles 40.3, 41 and 42
:'''Article 41'''
:1° ''The State pledges itself to guard with special care the institution of marriage, on which the family is founded, and to protect it against attack.''
The committee held oral hearings in Spring 2005<ref>{{cite news
| url = http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/2005/04/21/story354069630.asp
| publisher = Irish Examiner
| title = Day 2 Contributions the Oireachtas committee on the constitution
| date = 21 April, 2005}}
</ref><ref>{{cite news
| url = http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/2005/04/23/story618823202.asp
| publisher = Irish Examiner
| title = Day 4 Contributions to the Oireachtas committee on the constitution
| date = 23 April 2005}}
</ref> and received an unexpectedly large volume of written submissions with at least 60% being opposed to any constitutional changes to marriage or the family. The final report,<ref>{{cite web|author=[http://www.constitution.ie Constitution Review Committee]|year=2006|
url=http://www.constitution.ie/reports/10th-Report-Family.pdf|
title=Report on the Constitution and the Family |format=PDF|accessdate=2006-06-08}}
</ref> the Tenth interim report of the committee, originally due in September 2005, was launched by Taoiseach Ahern on [[24 January]] [[2006]].<ref>{{cite news
| url = http://www.rte.ie/news/2006/0124/gay.html
| publisher = RTÉ News
| title = Launch of the Oireachtas Constitution Report
| date = 24 January 2006
}}</ref> It recommended no change to the constitutional definitions, as it expected such a referendum to fail. It suggested that there should instead be legislation for a civil partnership registration open to homosexual or heterosexual couples which would confer succession, maintenance and taxation rights. Controversially, it also recommended that the 'presumed' recognition of co-habiting partners by the courts, as recommended by the Law Reform Commission, should also be legislated for, but only for heterosexual couples. The basis for the limitation was that it would be easy for the courts to determine the validity of a male/female relationship if there were children.
== Enabling Legislation ==
===The Norris bill of 2004 ===
In December 2004 Independent [[Senator]] [[David Norris (politician)|David Norris]], who had been central to the 1970s and 1980s [[Campaign for Homosexual Law Reform]] tabled a [[Private Member's Bill]] on Civil Partnerships in the [[Seanad Éireann|Seanad]] on which his team had worked since 2003. Introduction of a bill in the Seanad is an unusual step, last taken some 50 years earlier.
The bill<ref> {{cite web|author=[http://www.oireachtas.ie Oireactas Publications]|year=2004|
url=http://www.oireachtas.ie/documents/bills28/bills/2004/5404/b5404s.pdf|
title=Norris 2004 Civil Partnerships Bill|format=PDF|accessdate=2007-02-23}}
</ref> provided for the recognition of unmarried partnerships, both same-sex and opposite-sex cohabiting couples. It defined eligibility for a civil partnership and the process of registering a civil partnership. Rather than listing all the rights of a civil partner, it specified that all the rights of marriage would apply to anyone in a civil partnership. However, it specifically defined the dissolution process and the process for recognising foreign civil partnerships.
Senator Norris said the Bill was initiated ''"to protect the rights of adults who find themselves in relationships outside the conventional bonds of marriage"'' and ''"to meet the requirements of those who are making arrangements in their personal lives outside the formalities of marriage"'' and who also ''"need to be supported in the creation of mature stable relationships"''. Norris said he had done substantial research in order to achieve consensus on a moderate bill which took on board stated reservations.
The debate,<ref>{{cite web|author=[http://www.oireachtas.ie Oireactas Publications]|year=2005|
url=http://historical-debates.oireachtas.ie/S/0179/S.0179.200502160009.html|
title=Norris 2004 Civil Partnerships Bill Debates|accessdate=2007-02-23}}
</ref> including contributions from Justice Minister McDowell, took place on [[16 February]] [[2005]]. The majority of speakers supported the principles behind the bill and complimented Senator Norris on his work. Some expressed reservations due to the Constitutional protection of the family.
A Government amendment designed to postpone a vote attracted much acrimony. This postponement was to allow for input from then ongoing investigations: the Law Reform Commission, the High court KAL Case on the Canadian Marriage and the Constitutional Review committee. Eventually it was agreed to debate the bill but adjourn a vote indefinitely.
=== Labour Party Bill 2006===
In December 2006, on the same day as the High-court judgment in the KAL case, [[Brendan Howlin]], an opposition [[Labour Party (Ireland)|Labour Party]] TD tabled a private members Civil Unions Bill in [[Dáil Éireann]].<ref>{{cite web|author=[http://www.labour.ie The Labour Party]|year=2006|url=http://www.labour.ie/campaigns/listing/20061214124921.html|title=Civil Unions Bill - Description|accessdate=2006-12-14}}
</ref><ref>{{cite news
| url = http://www.labour.ie/press/listing/20061214120531.html
| publisher = Labour.ie
| title = Press Release on Civil Unions Bill
| date = 14 December 2006
}}</ref>
Mainly similar to the Norris bill in its provisions, this bill<ref>{{cite web|author=[http://www.oireachtas.ie Oireactas Publications]|year=2006|
url=http://www.oireachtas.ie/documents/bills28/bills/2006/6806/b6806d.pdf|
title=Labour 2006 Civil Unions Bill|format=PDF|accessdate=2007-02-23}}
</ref> defined a Civil Union as providing all the rights and duties as defined for marriage, but specifically limited Civil Unions to same-sex couples. It also provided for adoption by Civil Union couples.
The debate,<ref>{{cite web|author=[http://www.oireachtas.ie Oireactas Publications]|year=2007|
url=http://debates.oireachtas.ie/DDebate.aspx?F=DAL20070220.xml&Node=H15#H15|
title=Labour 2006 Civil Unions Bill Debates|accessdate=2007-02-23}}
</ref> again including contributions from Justice Minister McDowell, took place in February 2007. All speakers supported Civil Unions for gay couples and complimented Deputy Howlin on the bill. One expressed reservations about adoption. Minister McDowell claimed that the bill violated the constitutional provisions on marriage and the family. Government speakers said that Civil Unions needed to be introduced but that more time was needed to take account of the ongoing Supreme Court case and investigation work in the department of Justice.<ref>[http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/02/022207ireland.htm Irish Parliament Rejects Gay Unions Bill] – [[365gay.com]]</ref>
The Government amended the bill to delay debate for six months. As expected, the bill then fell when the Dáil was dissolved in the intervening period for the [[Irish general election, 2007|2007 General election]]. Deputy Howlin said that the real reason for the delay is that the Government did not want to enact this type of social legislation in the face of an election.<ref>{{cite news
| url = http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-3808.html
| publisher = PinksNews.co.uk
| title = Irish Govt accused on Civil Unions defeat
| date = 27 February 2007
}}</ref> The bill was again brought before the house for debate and voting on [[31 October]] and [[1 November]] the Government again voted the Bill down. The Green Party, now in Government also voted in opposition to the Bill, with spokesperson [[Ciaran Cuffe]] arguing that the bill was unconstitutional but would not elaborate any further.
===Government Legislation 2008===
On 24th June 2008, the Government announced the Heads of their Civil Partnership Bill.<ref>http://www.irishelection.com/06/heads-of-civil-partnership-bill-published</ref><ref>http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/General_Scheme_of_Civil_Partnership_Bill</ref> The Heads of the Bill will take approximately 6 months to pass, with the legislation likely to come into effect by June 2009.<ref>http://glen.ie/press/pdfs/IT%20Opinion%2026%20June%202008.pdf</ref>
The same day that the Government announced the legislation, [[Jim Walsh (politician)|Senator Jim Walsh]] put forward a party motion to counter the Bill.<ref>http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/frontpage/2008/0627/1214516624201.html</ref><ref>http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/General_Scheme_of_Civil_Partnership_Bill</ref> The Irish Times reported that around 30 unidentified [[backbencher|backbenchers]] had signed the motion. One anonymous Senator was quoted as claiming that the motion "would have considerable support from the more conservative sections of the parliamentary party". [[An Taoiseach]], [[Brian Cowen]], responded by insisting that the registration of same-sex couples would not interfere with the [[Constitution_of_Ireland|constitutional]] status of [[marriage]]. Cowen noted that the Bill had been drawn up in close consultation with the [[Attorney_General#Ireland|Attorney General]] and had been included in the programme for government.<ref>http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0627/marriage.html</ref>
Walsh's motion was referred to the parliamentary party's justice committee on 1st July 2008. Despite the challenge to the Bill, a Fianna Fáil spokesperson was quoted as saying that there was "broad support" within the party for the legislation, while the Taoiseach and the [[Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform]] [[Dermot Ahern]] reaffirmed the constitutional compatibility of the law.<ref>http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0702/civilunion.html</ref>
== Department of Justice working group ==
{{Life in the Republic of Ireland}}
On [[20 December]] [[2005]], Justice Minister Michael McDowell announced that he was creating a working group in the Department of Justice to provide options for government consideration.<ref>{{cite news
| url = http://www.rte.ie/news/2005/1220/gay.html
| publisher = RTÉ News
| title = Launch of the Justice Ministry Working Group
| date = 20 December 2005
}}</ref> This announcement came on the day after [[Belfast]] in Northern Ireland held the first of the new UK Civil Partnership registration ceremonies. The Government said that it would legislate following the report, but Taoiseach Ahern also said there might not be time to do so before the then [[Irish general election, 2007|upcoming election]].
Chaired by former TD [[Anne Colley]], this working group included GLEN, the gay rights lobby organisation, who said they expected a recommendation for civil marriage. The group facilitated a conference on the topic in May 2006, as input to its reports which was attended by experts from other countries which have introduced civil unions and gay marriage. During his speech, Minister McDowell was interrupted by members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians shouting opposition to the Government plans.<ref>{{cite news
| url = http://www.rte.ie/news/2006/0526/mcdowellm.html
| publisher = RTÉ News
| title = Minister for Justice Heckled by Protesters
| date = 26 May 2006}}</ref>
Initially to report by March 2006, the group presented its report<ref>{{cite web|author=[http://www.justice.ie/80256E01003A21A5/vWeb/pcJUSQ6NRJWQ-en DOJ Working Group]|year=2006|
url=http://www.justice.ie/80256E01003A21A5/vWeb/flJUSQ6VYKDA-en/$File/OptionsPaper.pdf|
title=Options Paper on Domestic Partnership|format=PDF|accessdate=2006-11-29}}
</ref> to Government in November 2006.<ref>{{cite news
| url = http://www.rte.ie/news/2006/1128/gay.html
| publisher = RTÉ News
| title = Report calls for same-sex partnership scheme
| date = 28 November 2006
}}</ref> They recommended that a civil parternship scheme would resolve most of the issues for same-sex and cohabiting couples, while providing less benefits than marriage. Offering civil marriage to gay couples would be open to constitutional challenge. They also recommended a legal presumption of partnership for couples which have lived together for three years, or have children together. No recommendations were made for couples in non-[[conjugal]] relationships due to lack of research. The cabinet reviewed the report, but no legislation was introduced before the 2007 General election, and in the intervening period the Government said in response to the Labour Party Bill that legislation should await the KAL Case Supreme Court challenge.
== See also ==
* [[LGBT rights in the Republic of Ireland]]
* [[:Category:LGBT rights by country|LGBT rights by country]]
* [[Timeline of LGBT history]]
* [[Homosexuality laws of the world]]
* [[:Category:Marriage, unions and partnerships by country|Marriage, unions and partnerships by country]]
== References ==
{{reflist|2}}
== External links ==
*[http://www.glue.ie GLUE – Equality Association for LGBT Unions in Ireland]
*[http://www.glen.ie GLEN – Irish Gay and Lesbian Equality Network]
*[http://www.kalcase.org KalCase.org – Website on the Gilligan/Zappone case]
*[http://www.kalcase.org/KAL%20Zappone_v_Rev_Commrs_Judgement.doc Judgment handed down by the High Court, [[December 14]], [[2006]]]
*[http://www.justice.ie/80256E01003A21A5/vWeb/pcJUSQ6NRJWQ-en Department of Justice working group]
*[http://www.ourbirthright.com - '''OurBirthRight.com''' Agency specializing in working to help gay intended parents through their surrogacy journey]
{{Civil unions in Europe}}
[[Category:Marriage, unions and partnerships by country|Ireland]]
[[Category:Politics of the Republic of Ireland]]
[[Category:Irish laws]]
[[Category:LGBT civil rights]]
[[Category:LGBT rights in Ireland]]
[[de:Homosexualität in Irland]]
[[nl:Homohuwelijk in de Republiek Ierland]]