Press Release 27 April 2004

Green Party calls for Government action on Law Reform Commission report on rights of cohabitees 

The Law Reform Commission's Report on the rights of cohabitees has been welcomed by the Green Party. However, the Party's Justice spokesperson has called on Michael McDowell, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, to bring forward proposals to update legislation in order to reflect the recommendations of the Commission. 

Green Party's Justice spokesperson, Ciarán Cuffe TD, stated today that, "The Law Reform Commission has produced a detailed report with far-reaching recommendations. It states that there are many 'marriage-like' relationships between persons of the same-sex or of the opposite sex." 

"These relationships should be recognised in law, and provision should be made for bestowing rights and duties to the substantial numbers of Irish people who are in such relationships. I hope that Minister McDowell will enact legislation at an early stage to protect these relationships," concluded Ciarán Cuffe TD. 

ENDS