New figures for 2012 released by the
Department of Social Protection show that a total of 429 civil
partnerships were registered, while there was a total 20,649 marriages
between men and women.Of those 429 unions, 263 were between two men and 166 were between two women.
The figures also show that at least one union took place in every county in Ireland.
The Civil Partnership Bill was passed by the Dáil in 2010 and came into effect on January 1st, 2011.
Since the Civil Partnership Bill was passed a total of 965 gay and lesbian couples have taken part in a civil partnership.
Director of the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network Brian Sheehan said: “It has been a resounding success because people for all walks of life, all ages and all areas in Ireland are getting civil partnerships. It is helping change the way people look at gay and lesbian couples. Those 965 couples have laid the groundwork for full marriage by showing that there is the exact same level of love and commitment as heterosexual couples.”
Director of Marriage Equality Moninne Griffith said that she expects full same-sex marriage being legalised in Ireland during this government’s administration.