The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) has today (Friday, 2 July 2010) praised members of the Dáil for unanimously endorsing the Civil Partnership Bill.

ICCL Director Mr Mark Kelly said:

“The passage of this legislation through Dáil Éireann truly marks a red-letter day for same-sex couples and their supporters. The Civil Partnership Act will offer a solid foundation for the recognition and protection of loving same sex relationships, and provide a range of important protections hitherto denied to them. Members of Dáil Éireann of all parties are to be praised for their unanimous support of this progressive and long-overdue piece of legislation”

“However, the Civil Partnership Bill remains only a stepping stone on the path to full equality for same-sex couples. Deficiencies in the Bill will ensure that same-sex couples remain unequal in the eyes of the law.  It now falls to our legislators to fully embrace the principles that underpin their support for this Bill, and urgently work to ensure equality for all families by opening up civil marriage for all.”

ENDS

For more information, please contact:

Walter Jayawardene
Campaigns and Communications Officer
Irish Council for Civil Liberties
9-13 Blackhall Place
Dublin 7
Ireland

Tel. + 353 1 799 4504
Mob: +353 87 9981574
 
E-mail: walter.jayawardene@iccl.ie