The Cabinet is expected to publish a bill allowing same-sex couples to adopt early next week.

According to The Irish Times, the Child and Family Relationships Bill is expected to be passed into law in a matter of weeks - ahead of the same-sex marriage referendum.

The government had promised that this bill would be enacted before same-sex marriage vote in May - to clarify issues of parentage and adoption well ahead of campaigning in earnest.

The bill will come before Cabinet next Tuesday to be signed-off. Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald has briefed TDs that she is likely to publish it as soon as possible.

It is expected to give new guardianship rights to unmarried fathers, to same-sex partners and wider family members.

It is reported this morning that the legislation will be enacted in just over a month - and may also contain measures addressing issues surrounding parentage in cases of assisted reproduction.

Catherine Ghent, child law practitioner with Gallagher Shatter, told Newstalk Lunchtime she believes "what this bill seeks to do is simply recognise the reality of what's out there - the reality of children's existence and the reality of families children are growing up in":

Niamh Lyons, political correspondent with The Irish Daily Mail, spoke to Newstalk Breakfast about how the legislation is likely to affect unmarried fathers:

She also said "affording the same rights to all types of parents is exactly what this bill is designed to do":

Originally posted at 7.48am