The UK Supreme Court ruled at the end of August that the exclusion of cohabitees from claiming widowed parent's allowance was discriminatory on the basis of marital or birth status.

Siobhan McLaughlin and her partner whom she never married lived together for 23 years and had four children together. The widowed parent's allowance in Northern Ireland is payable to widowed men and women with dependent children. In spite of Siobhan McLaughlin fulfilling the required conditions and her partner having made the necessary contributions to the UK authorities, her application was refused. The courts in Ireland may now interpret the paramount interests of the child under the European Convention on Human Rights in the same way as the Supreme Court in the United Kingdom. Has the Government considered this important ruling and does it plan to change the relevant law here to ensure the rights of citizens are fully compatible with the European convention?

The Government will reflect on the ruling in the United Kingdom, but it is a ruling that affects that jurisdiction. Our laws are different. However, we are reflecting on the ruling and will make a decision on the matter.