The new Adoption (Amendment) Bill in Ireland gives those in a civil partnership the right to adopt children.
The bill gives legislative effect to the Children’s Referendum, updates adoption law for all families and ensures that civil partners may apply to adopt.
June Tinsley, Head of Advocacy at Barnardos, said that the incoming legislation is “crucial” and “a further sign that we as a nation are prioritising children’s rights and needs and it is fitting we do so in 2016.”
Under the incoming legislation, parents can adopt irrespective of their marital status.
The only remaining part of the United Kingdom which has not legalised same sex “marriage” is Northern Ireland.