For the first time in the history of the Irish State, gay couples will be able to avail of legally binding civil partnerships.
The Civil Partnership Bill was passed last night in the Irish parliament and is expected to be signed into law next autumn.
The bill will allow civil partners to avail of marriage like benefits such as, property, social welfare, maintenance, pension, tax and inheritance rights.
The legislation allows any gay couple over the age of 18 to register their relationship with a registar.
The courts will also be allowed to dissolve a relationship if the couple have been living apart for over two years pf the previous three years.
Cohabiting couples can also enjoy the benefits of a court administered redress scheme which will be made available to gay or straight couples that have been living together for five years or more.
Cohabiting couples account for over 8% of all family units in Ireland.
Last night the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (GLEN) welcomed the civil partnership bill for gay couples and recognized it as an “historic advance” towards full equality for gays.
However GLEN spokesman Brian Sheehan said that the legislation did not legally recognise gay couples with children as joint parents.
The Catholic Church condemned the legislation and said it undermined the institution of marriage.
Minister Dermot Ahern stated that the new legislation was careful not to undermine the constitutional position of marriage.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.Conjoly | Jul 06, 2010, 12:08 AM EDT
Hurrah! Well done Ireland. Southernpride, perhaps you should find a hobby?
clonmel21 | Jul 05, 2010, 07:48 AM EDT
Hollarbackgurl: It's not hate that is coming from Christians. Christians are commanded to love the person and hate the sin which is what homosexuality is. It's hating the sin that you are confused about.
Southernpride | Jul 04, 2010, 11:12 AM EDT
Another study found that: 1) amoebiasis, a parasitic disease, afflicts around 32% of homosexuals; 2) giardiasis, also a parasitic disease, afflicts 14% of homosexuals (no heterosexuals in the study were found to have either amoebiasis or giardiasis); 3) gonorrhea afflicts 14% of homosexuals; and 4) 11% of homosexuals had anal warts.4 Another study found that anorectal sepsis, a potentially toxic bacterial infection, is 4 times more common in homosexual than heterosexual men.
Southernpride | Jul 04, 2010, 11:11 AM EDT
Another study found that: 1) 80% of syphilitic patients are homosexual; 2) about one-third of homosexuals are infected with active anorectal herpes simplex viruses; 3) chlamydia infects 15% of homosexuals; and 4) "a host of parasites, bacterial, viral, and protozoan are all rampant in the homosexual population
JOHNTOBIN | Jul 04, 2010, 05:52 AM EDT
I fully agree with the views of the Catholic Church.
Southernpride | Jul 03, 2010, 06:21 PM EDT
On The Unhealthy Homosexual Lifestyle Medical researchers have known for many years that the "homosexual lifestyle" is a very disease-ridden lifestyle. (The fact that the dominant liberal media are downplaying and/or ignoring and/or censoring the following crucial information should give you a clue as to just how biased, untrustworthy, corrupt, and potentially detrimental they can be.) For example, one 1982 study mentioned in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that the anal cancer rate for homosexuals is way above normal, maybe as high as 50 times normal.1 And a 1997 New England Journal of Medicine study again drew attention to the "strong association between anal cancer and male homosexual contact."2 (The reason for the connection is that the lining of the anus, as opposed to the much thicker lining of the vagina, is only a single cell in thickness, tears easily, and thus is an easy point of entry for viruses and bacteria. Just as repeatedly assaulting lung tissue with cigarette smoke increases one's lung cancer risk, repeatedly damaging the anus and rectum increases one's anal cancer risk. Anal sex frequently results in damage to the anus and rectum. Too, this helps explain why AIDS is spread so easily in the homosexual community. However, even when there are not any tears in the anal lining, there is still a high risk for HIV infection because certain cells in its mucous lining [M-cells and Langerhans cells] can be infected and will then carry HIV deeper into one's body.)
Watereskhill | Jul 03, 2010, 02:38 AM EDT
"The Catholic Church condemned the legislation and said it undermined the institution of marriage". An expected mutter from an Institution that has more confreres in it's ranks hanging out in gay bars incognito--than a Parish Hall.
hollabackgurl | Jul 02, 2010, 11:07 PM EDT
The more hate I see from Christians and so-called "moral" types, the more I am convinced that Jesus would dump them and support gay rights in a heartbeat. There is nothing uglier in this world than a self-righteous bigot who thinks he's better than everyone he meets. Homophobes are evil, not the gays.
barneyjo | Jul 02, 2010, 09:24 PM EDT
Evil my A#se!!Christ during his Ministry, went out of his way to identify with those who were somewhat removed from "polite" society; tax collectors, Whores, Lepers. The G&L community are no more or less evil than any of the above. As a "straight" practicing Irish Catholic, I applaud the Government.
RiverAveGuy | Jul 02, 2010, 09:02 PM EDT
The Evils of Today's Ireland....
katieherk | Jul 02, 2010, 07:45 PM EDT
Be careful, once you allow that, you know what's next and it's pretty disgusting. Marriage is sacred between a man and a woman, but allowing these rights, leaves the door open to fighting for marriage rights.
jimmy12003 | Jul 02, 2010, 06:58 PM EDT
so far tis government has given passports out to pedos, terrorists, spys and all the bu-ms coming in from africa! so whats the hells the big deal about letting a shirt lifter marry an ar-se bandit!
Southernpride | Jul 02, 2010, 05:51 PM EDT
Leviticus 20:13 "'If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads"
dermot.r | Jul 02, 2010, 04:48 PM EDT
The reason they are called "civil" rights is because they are granted by the state, free from the religious beliefs and intolerance of bigots and idiots. As a gay Catholic priest, I applaud the Irish State and look forward to the day when same-sex couples can enjoy the full rights of their fellow citizens.
JimThompson | Jul 02, 2010, 03:43 PM EDT
Can not understand why such a minority can over ride the beliefs of normal people. Next, men will be able to marry their animals such as sheep, dogs, etc., just by claiming to be in LOVE with them. Marrkiage to me means the legal and religious join of two opposite partners with the possibility of bearibng children. Have yet to see two men gfive birth to a child or two women give birth without the help of a male sperm.
clonmel21 | Jul 02, 2010, 02:39 PM EDT
Bible: Marriage between a man and a woman. There is no higher authority. Period.
olovely | Jul 02, 2010, 12:46 PM EDT
chesapeak i prefer not to think about your conjugal arrangements either. i mean why would you even feel compelled to write that?
chesapeake | Jul 02, 2010, 10:10 AM EDT
Gerald Fitz Patrick and Patrick Fitz Gerald. I prefer not to think about it.
richardandjb | Jul 02, 2010, 10:05 AM EDT
This is encouraging news. My partner's and my moral fiber is tightly woven and totally intact. But really...sheep or cow? What kind of demented mind could even think of such a thing? Some self reflection is in order there.
barneyjo | Jul 02, 2010, 09:02 AM EDT
Lord help us, but Dev's ghost is still dancing at the crossroads if lynchsteele's remark is anything to go by!!
lynchsteele | Jul 02, 2010, 08:58 AM EDT
Isn't that special...what about the people with a hankerin' for their favorite sheep or cow???? What's next in the socially acceptable demise of our moral fiber????
hollabackgurl | Jul 02, 2010, 08:57 AM EDT
This bill helps a small minority and harms no one. It only undermines you if you can't stand the thought of other people enjoying the same rights you have yourself. Otherwise it's no one's business but the two people who have Civil Partnership. This is a good day for equality and Ireland.