The Equality Authority has expressed concern at a proposal to amend the Social Welfare Bill which, it says, will discriminate against same-sex couples.
The Department of Social and Family Affairs is seeking the amendment which will limit the definition of "spouse" and "couple" to a married couple and to a cohabiting man and woman. It means social welfare schemes such as free travel will be unavailable to gay couples.
In September, a gay pensioner won the right for his partner to benefit from his free travel pass after winning a case against the Department. The couple, who were based in Dublin, asked the Equality Authority to fight their claim after the Department refused to issue a travel pass to the cohabiting partner of the gay man under the Free Travel Scheme.
Mr Niall Crowley, Chief Executive Officer of the Equality Authority said today: "This marks a significant reversal in the work to create a more equal society for gay and lesbian people."
"The early settlement of the case by the Department of Social and Family Affairs had reflected a valuable recognition for same sex couples. This has now been reversed". He said that the issue needs to be resolved "by developing partnership rights that would give a legal recognition to same sex couples and that would ensure access to the same rights as heterosexual couples".
National Lesbian and Gay Federation Co-Chair Mr Brian Sheehan said: "The Minister for Finance has already changed some of the tax codes to facilitate gay and lesbian couples.
"Why now is Minister [Mary] Coughlan flying in the face of the gradual improvement in public policy of the State towards lesbian and gay couples?" he asked.
Sinn Féin's Mr Seán Crowe said: "The Government has, without consultation with gay rights groups, decided to roll back rights won in the Court last year."
Mr Crowe said: "The amendment copperfastens discrimination against same sex couples and is an extremely regressive step."
In the Dail today, Ms Liz McManus of the Labour Party said the amendment would take away rights which gay people had won, while Mr John Gormley of the Green Party said the Government was engaging in "cynicism of the highest order".
President of the Labour Party, Mr Michael D. Higgins, said: "The text of the Minister's amendment was only circulated this morning and was forced through the Dáil today with minimal debate. "I agree with Minister Coughlan that the social welfare rights of partners in same sex relationships is a complex issue that requires careful consideration.
"This is all the more reason why an important amendment like this should not be rushed though with virtually no notice and no time for the Oireachtas to consider its implications.
"Today's decision represents an attack on the rights of a section of our society and reflects great discredit on Minister Coughlan and her colleagues."
