Is Civil Partnership actually on the Government's Agenda?

[LiquidPaddy]

I note in the announcment of government plans for new legislation in the coming Dail session, there are 17 items.

I did expect to see some sort of comment about the civil unions there, but there is no mention of the promised Civil Partnership Bill on the list:

http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/index.asp?l ... docID=3730



Can anyone update us as to whether any Heads of Bill/ legislation is coming down the tracks?

More importantly, in what time-frame can we see the legislation being implemented in the ROI? For instance, from reading up on the UK experience of civil partnership law (and reading as a non-lawyer), I did note that when the UK Bill was passed, there was a significant "waiting" period during which other laws were changed to allow C/P be introduced. Are we facing the same here?

Any info, heads up, etc, people?

No anti-marriage comments, anti-gay comments here thanks.

[Compound Fracture]

This was dragged out By McDowell for about 18 months, then voted down by FF and the Greens a few months ago when Labour (supported by FG) introduced a Bill on it.

Anyone who thinks this issue will be acted on any time soon is codding themselves

[johnfás]

It was understood (from Dave) as of last October that this bill was being introduced in March 2008.

http://www.politics.ie/viewtopic.php?t=28111

The Government has tonight announced that they will introduce a Civil Partnership Bill in March 2008. This is in response to a Private Members Bill for Same Sex Civil Unions, a bill re-introduced by Labour that was voted down in February and is right now, being re-introduced.

A spokesperson for the Government has told Politics.ie this may be more wider in scope that the bill re-presented by Labour, and may cover areas such as cohabiting siblings following a consulation period.

Article 37 (the final article) of the Fianna Fail/Green/PD programme for Government set out that they will legislate for same sex couples, the Greens in particular are facing criticism for supporting this bill in February but not supporting the bill now.

[Victor Meldrew]

Wouldn't hold my breath, FF are not known for their compassion or backbone...

They'll just let the cruelty continue.

[Chapelizod]

I note in the announcment of government plans for new legislation in the coming Dail session, there are 17 items.

I did expect to see some sort of comment about the civil unions there, but there is no mention of the promised Civil Partnership Bill on the list:

http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/index.asp?l ... docID=3730



Can anyone update us as to whether any Heads of Bill/ legislation is coming down the tracks?

More importantly, in what time-frame can we see the legislation being implemented in the ROI? For instance, from reading up on the UK experience of civil partnership law (and reading as a non-lawyer), I did note that when the UK Bill was passed, there was a significant "waiting" period during which other laws were changed to allow C/P be introduced. Are we facing the same here?

Any info, heads up, etc, people?

No anti-marriage comments, anti-gay comments here thanks. [/b]

I hope to see such a bill no time soon! thanks Fianna Fáíl!

[NeilW]

If it's informative at all then I think it was about 6 months (including a summer recess) between the UK Bill's second reading and royal assent and there was about a year between receiving assent and coming into force (and then the further waiting period required by the Act before the first partnerships could be formed).

[LiquidPaddy]

I am deeply sceptical about the promises made. (And I'm not codding myself...) my query is that if it was to be introduced in March 08 (even as Heads of a Bill), shouldn't it have been on the "to do" list at this point?

Are we into another period of 'Ray Burkery'

[White Horse]

I can understand FF burying civil partnerships.

The economy is going to pot, gang crime is rampant, and Bertie is a laughing stock.

FF are facing electoral meltdown in a couple of years time. They need to keep their rural and traditional voters. Civil partnerships wouldn't help.

I doubt anything will happen during the lifetime of this government.

[Universal_001]

Like every other civil rights advance in Ireland it will come through outside action forcing the Dail to act, look at the history of this kind of thing the Dail never acts on it's own initiative, Irish governments are reactionary, they always have been.

[revereie]

Actually a homosexual this week was granted Irish residency on the grounds that this person's homosexual partner was enittled to Irish residency ie they were recognised as 'spouses' under the relevant legislation/statute/code.

Granted, this was a civil srvant doing his job but it augurs well.