Justice Minister confirms marriage for gay and lesbian people is not on Government's agenda

10 Mar 2008

The Minister for Justice, Brian Lenihan TD, has confirmed by way of formal reply to parliamentary questions tabled in the Dail by Ruairi Quinn TD (Labour) and Caoimhghin O Caolain (Sinn Fein) that the Government does not intend to legislate for gay and lesbian marriage.

The response also confirms that the Government will receive the scheme of a Civil Partnership Bill, by the end of this month.

MarriagEquality beleieves that civil partnership will not provide equality for gay and lesbian people. We will continue to work for this equality by actively asking our politicians to legislate for civil marriage for gay and lesbian people.

The questions tabled by Deputies Quinn and O Caolain, and the Minister's response, are as follows:

DÁIL QUESTIONS addressed to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. Lenihan) on Tuesday, 4th March, 2008.

To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he expects the Government's promised legislation on same sex unions will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Ruairí Quinn

To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the heads of the Civil Partnership Bill will be produced; and if the Bill will contain provisions for gay civil marriage.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

REPLY

The Scheme of a Civil Partnership Bill, containing detailed proposals, is being developed in my Department for submission to Government by the end of March 2008.

The scope of the Bill as proposed does not extend to provision for the marriage of same-sex couples.

The Government Legislative Programme includes the Bill as providing for a system of civil registration of same-sex partnerships and for the legal consequences of registration. It also provides certain protections for both opposite-sex and same-sex cohabitants.