The Government has approved the Heads of a Civil Partnership bill, paving the way for laws to give legal recognition to civil unions for same-sex and heterosexual couples.

The proposed legislation will bring Ireland into line with most EU States.

Justice Minister Dermot Ahern said the bill would have a number of key objectives: "As well as providing for Civil Partnership Registration for same-sex couples, it will also provide certainty as to the status of cohabitation agreements, and a legal safety-net to people living in long term relationships who may otherwise be very vulnerable at the end of a relationship, whether through break-up or through bereavement."

Green Party Justice spokesperson Ciaran Cuffe welcomed the move saying: "Today's announcement is a significant step forward for same sex couples, and represents progress on the path towards full marriage equality. It is of huge practical value and I believe will make a difference to the lives of the many gay and lesbian couples in our society.

"Legislation along these lines would have been impossible 15 years ago. It is progress towards the commitments in the Programme for Government."

Source: Breakingnews.ie, 24 June 2008