Family rights for children of same-sex couples
Barry Ward highlighted remaining inequalities for children born into same-sex families, including citizenship, inheritance and birth registration issues. The Health Minister said amending legislation was being drafted as a priority and hoped to publish it in June.
First, I add my voice to the support for Deputy Boyd Barrett and Councillor Melisa Halpin in Dún Laoghaire as they begin their journey to recovery.
Almost ten years ago, we voted for marriage equality and proudly so. We have made great strides down that road but there are still families who do not have familial equality. Children born into same-sex couples - depending on the means in which they were born - do not avail of the same rights and have issues relating to citizenship rights, succession rights, social protection rights, education rights, inheritance rights and birth registration rights, as well as the emotional toll it places upon them. When and how is the Government going to remedy this situation to ensure we have equality for all families in this country?
Comment on this
As the House is aware, the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act was signed into law in July 2024. Significant amending work is necessary for that and formal drafting of that Bill, which is largely concerned with the outstanding issues of parentage and citizenship, as well as procedures undertaken abroad, is under way and is a priority area. I am hoping this will be published in June.