The ICCL has praised the Minister for Justice for publishing a civil partnership bill that it hailed as “broadly progressive”.
ICCL Director Mr Mark Kelly said:
“This new legal structure offers a solid foundation for the recognition and protection of loving same sex relationships. However, although it is solidly grounded, the Bill remains a halfway house to granting genuine equality to same sex couples through full civil marriage”.
“Now the onus is on those who, for religious or other reasons, still believe that it is acceptable to discriminate against people on the basis of their sexual orientation to explain why their prejudice should be reflected in law”, he added.