Greens call on Minister for Justice to take action on Civil Partnerships

Press Release: Justice 20 December 2005

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Greens call on Minister for Justice to take direct action on Civil Partnerships

The Greens today expressed disappointment at Minister Michael McDowell’s plans to set up a working group to look into the issue of same sex civil partnerships.

Green Party spokesperson for Equality Ciarán Cuffe TD said that, “There is simply no need for the Minister to bury this issue in yet another working group within his Department. In doing so the Minister is merely deferring on taking real action on this important matter. We need only look to the North of this island to see how the necessary legislation can be written and implemented in an efficient and timely manner.

“Minister McDowell has said that he has been delayed in taking action regarding this matter as he was waiting for the reports of the All-Party Committee on the Constitution and the Law Reform Commission’s report on the rights of co-habiting couples.

“The Law Reform Commission’s report has been published, and the All-Party Committee’s Report is due for publication in January, so there should not be any reason for delaying matters beyond then. We believe Minister McDowell should be taking action now rather than delaying matters by setting up a Working Group. Civil Partnerships should be recognised now,” concluded Deputy Cuffe.

Ciarán Cuffe is a TD for the Dún Laoghaire Dáil Constituency. Ciarán can be contacted at Dáil Éireann, Kildare Street, Dublin 2 or 96 Patrick Street, Dún Laoghaire Tel. 284 6060 or 618 3082, Fax 618 4341, Email Ciaran CiaranCuffe.com, or Text Ciaran on 087 265 2075.