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CIVIL PARTNERSHIP rights for gay and lesbian couples are within sight following the publication of the heads of the Civil Partnership Bill. This follows a long period of campaigning by gay and lesbian organisations, along with studies from human rights bodies, including the Human Rights Commission and the Equality Authority.

The proposed Bill covers such areas as recognition of civil partners in relation to inheritance rights, pensions, taxation, social welfare and a shared couple's home. It will also give recognition to civil partnerships or marriages contracted abroad which meet the same criteria as Irish law. It provides for the dissolution of such partnerships and for "proper provision" to be made for each partner. Despite the reservations of some activists at the absence of full marriage status, the Bill represents a good balance between the legitimate aspirations of same-sex couples and intractable constitutional problems that would arise if an attempt was made to introduce same-sex marriage.