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Ireland gives legal recognition to same-sex couples

Ireland published new civil partnership laws last week giving legal recognition to same-sex couples but falling short of marriage because of difficulties arising from the country's constitution.

This provides legal protection for cohabiting couples and is an important step, particularly for same-sex couples, whose relationships have not previously been given legal recognition by the state, those entering into civil partnerships face a range of rights and responsibilities including pension rights and maintenance obligations.

The law also provides for a redress scheme to give protection to a financially dependent person at the end of a long-term cohabiting relationship whether through break-up or the death of a partner.

Homosexuality was decriminalised in Ireland in 1993 following a 1988 European Court ruling the country was in breach of the European Convention on Human Rights.

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