A rare all-party consensus in favour of the State giving legal recognition to couples in same-sex relationships is emerging in the Dáil after the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, backed the concept at the weekend. Arthur Beesley, Political Reporter, reports.
As the Taoiseach restated the view that a form of gay marriage was still a long way off, a spokesman for the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Mr Brennan, said the treatment of homosexual couples in the social welfare code was under review.
While Mr Brennan's spokesman said the review would take "a couple of years" to complete, it would concentrate on the definition of the terms 'spouse' and 'couple'.
At present in the social welfare code, these terms refer only to married or opposite sex cohabiting couples.
Each of the opposition parties said last night that they were in favour of moves to provide legal recognition to same-sex relationships.
The Taoiseach's remarks in an RTÉ interview were described as a positive "first step" yesterday by the National Lesbian and Gay Federation and its newspaper, the Gay Community News.
The paper's editor, Mr Brian Finnegan, said anything that was inclusive and accepting of minorities was to be welcomed.
"This is the first time Fianna Fáil have ever put themselves on the line separately. In terms of gay rights, we welcome it as a first step in a long journey towards equality for all."
Mr Ahern's remarks follow signals in favour of the concept by the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, who said last March that he sensed a view "right across the Government" that there would have to be some sort of recognition for civil partnerships.
A spokeswoman for Mr McDowell said the Minister was prepared to consider a private members Bill on civil partnerships which was being prepared by the independent Senator, Mr David Norris. "It will be considered by the Government, absolutely."
Fine Gael's official spokesman said the party leader, Mr Enda Kenny, and its front bench endorsed a party policy paper last June that gay people should be allowed to enter "civil partnerships".
Such partnerships, which would be open also to heterosexual couples, would entitle couples to succession and tax rights in addition to rights as "next of kin" in crisis medical situations.
Labour's spokesman said the party had committed in the general election to provide legal recognition to couples in non-marital relations, including gay and lesbian couples.
The Green Party and Sinn Féin also said they were in favour of recognising such relationships.