The Minister for Justice Alan Shatter says he hopes to have draft legislation before the Dáil by Christmas to look at giving gay parents equal rights in relation to children. Currently there are no laws in Ireland which grant same sex parents the same rights as a married or heterosexual couple.
The government yesterday committed to holding a referendum on gay marriage in 2015, while Alan Shatter has now committed to dealing with the issue of family law for gay parents.
Minister Shatter says the issue has be addressed in the best interests of children.
In April of this year 79% of those polled in the Constitutional Convention said they would support the move.
While last night the Taoiseach for the first time said he supports same-sex marriage very strongly.
In his first words on the issue, Enda Kenny chose a gathering of business leaders to make the announcement. In his speech he referred to the marriage equality issue and the decision by Cabinet.
Cork South-Central TD and and Chair of the Fine Gael LGBT Group, Jerry Buttimer, told the Pat Kenny Show here on Newstalk that he hopes the campaign will be civilised.
