Hopes for draft law before Christmas on giving gay parents equal rights

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.
“What I briefed Cabinet on yesterday was the general provisions which we’re going to include in a Family Relationship and Children’s Bill – which I hope will be brought in a draft Bill before Cabinet before Christmas” he said.
“These are areas that need to be addressed in the best interests of children; and also to ensure that parents have equal rights and responsibilities with regard to the children that they’re caring for” eh added.