Ireland is to recognise same-sex marriages from other countries. Justice Minister Alan Shatter has made an order recognising the unions in France, Brazil, New Zealand, Uruguay, as well as States in Mexico, Australia and the US.
People in these relationships living in Ireland are now able to avail of the rights and entitlements that apply to Irish Civil Partnerships.
GLEN has said any couples based in Ireland who have availed of new laws in any of those countries will now enjoy equal treatment under tax laws.
This includes equal treatment with married couples across a range of areas including inheritance, tax, pensions, shared property, social welfare, citizenship, immigration and next of kin status.
The order will come into effect on December 31st.
It builds on previous similar orders, which now means that 57 forms of marriage or civil partnership of lesbian and gay couples from 45 jurisdictions are now recognised in Ireland.
Announcing the making of the order, Minister Shatter noted that "there will be further changes in 2014, not least the opening out of marriage to same-sex couples in England Wales. These will be recognised in future orders".
