The Equality Authority has today (Monday, July 19th) welcomed the signing by President Mary McAleese of the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010. 

Angela Kerins, Chairperson of the Equality Authority, commented:

“On behalf of the Equality Authority, I warmly welcome the signing into law of the new legislation to introduce civil partnerships for same-sex couples. This is a historic step for Ireland and represents a key milestone in the progressive realisation of the right to marriage of gay and lesbian couples in this country.

“I would like to pay tribute to the hard work done by those groups who have campaigned so well and so long for this change, and that done by Minister Dermot Ahern and his officials in the Department of Justice and Law Reform.

“The process of the Civil Partnership Bill, including its passage through the Dáil without a vote, is a great indication of the support that exists in Irish society for the rights of all to equality.

“We look forward to the celebration very soon of the first civil partnerships, as our friends, family members and members of our communities all over Ireland exercise their right to have their commitment to each other recognised by the laws of our state. It is a cause for celebration and Ireland should be proud of this new and important development” said Kerins.

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