The law makes it difficult to recognise relationships outside of the framework of biological parenthood
1/3/2013 - LAW PAGES - Jessica and Niamh Webbley - O'Gorman at home in Lucan. Interviewed about legislation for adoption of kids by same sex partners. Photograph: Alan Betson / THE IRISH TIMES
About a thousand same-sex couples have entered into civil partnerships since the first Irish ceremony took place in April 2011. For many of these couples, thoughts will now be turning towards starting a family.
However, current family law is ill- equipped to deal with the complexity of civil partnership families, according to Dr Fergus Ryan, a law lecturer at DIT.