Minister for Justice Commences Civil Partnership Act
Resource type: News
GLEN – Gay and Lesbian Equality Network | [ View Original Source (opens in new window) ]
The Minister for Justice and Law Reform Dermot Ahern TD today signed the Commencement Orders for the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights of Cohabitants Act 2010.
Speaking at the signing of the Commencement Orders, Kieran Rose, chair of GLEN said that “with this signing, the Minister is opening up a great and wide vista of futures, opportunities, celebrations and more secure futures for lesbian and gay couples”.
Minister for Justice and Law Reform Dermot Ahern signs the Commencement Orders for Civil Partnership watched by Kieran Rose, Chair of GLEN on 23rd December 2010. Photo credit: Tommy Clancy.
Couples must give three months notice to the Civil Registrar before having a civil partnership ceremony. The Commencement orders mean that from the 1st of January 2010 same-sex couples will be able to apply to the Civil Registrar to enter into a Civil Partnership. The first Civil Partnership ceremonies are likely to occur in April.
The Minister also signed orders which will automatically recognise a wide range of foreign same-sex civil marriages and same-sex civil partnerships as Irish civil partnerships. Same-sex couples who are already married or are civil partners through these recognised foreign relationships will be deemed civil partners in Ireland from early January.
The Minster stated, at the signing, that the changes to introduce civil partnership into the tax and social welfare codes also come into effect from 1st January 2011.
Kieran Rose paid tribute to the Minister for his leadership, determination and principled approach to the bringing this legislation to fruition.
For further information, see the Press Release from the Department of Justice, photos from the signing event here and see the GLEN website for an Information Note on Civil Partnership that gives some details on how to enter a civil partnership.