MORE THAN 80 same-sex couples have indicated to the General Registrar Office that they wish to enter into a civil partnership.
A
total of 18 notices of intention to enter a civil partnership were
received by the General Registrar Office up to January 10th, while a
further 63 appointments to give notice of an intention to enter a civil
partnership were received.
The first notice of intention to enter a
civil partnership was given on January 4th. This means the first civil
partnership can take place in early April as couples have to first give
three months’ notice to the registrar.
The figures released by the
Department of Social Protection yesterday on behalf of the General
Register Office coincided with the first day on which couples in
same-sex relationships who had previously entered into a civil marriage
or civil partnership in 27 foreign jurisdictions were legally recognised
in Ireland.
The Department of Justice confirmed the order,
stating that “certain classes of registered foreign relationship to be
entitled to be recognised in the State as a civil partnership” began
yesterday.
Although there are no official figures as to the number
of civil partnerships and marriages registered outside the State, the
Gay and Lesbian Network (Glen) estimates that there could be up to 1,000
same-sex relationships which will be legally recognised here.
Commenting
on the recognition of foreign-registered civil partnerships and
marriages Kieran Rose, Glen chairman and co-founder, said it was
“fantastic progress for the thousands of lesbian and gay couples who had
to go to another country to register their relationships legally”.
“Now
it is being recognised in the State and with it a huge number of rights
and responsibilities and people are delighted,” he said.
Mr Rose also
welcomed the prospect of the first civil partnerships which are due be
conducted in Ireland later this year.
“I think that a whole series
of celebrations are going to be had in April and in the following
months and years in what will be a great time for Ireland. Everyone
enjoys a wedding and people’s loved ones will now be able to participate
in their joy,” he said.
The Commencement Order for the
legislation surrounding civil partnerships was signed by Minister for
Justice Dermot Ahern on December 23rd, 2010, and commenced on January
1st, 2011.
The legislation makes provision for a court to grant an
exemption to the three-month period where it is in the couple’s
interest, for example in cases where one partner has a serious illness.
However, no such exemptions have been granted thus far.
A full
list of the 27 jurisdictions from which civil partnerships and civil
marriages will be recognised and more information on civil partnerships
is available on the Department of Justice website.
SIC: IT/IE