Ireland passes bill which allows for same-sex adoption
By Ben Kelly
The upper house of Ireland’s parliament, the Seanad, has passed a bill that will allow greater adoption rights – including for same sex couples.
The bill extends guardianship, custody and adoption rights to various family situations, including same sex civil partners and co-habiting couples who will be able to jointly adopt children. It also gives step parents and grandparents greater access to children when relationships break down.
The bill has gone through a remarkable 122 amendments, and after eight hours of debate on Tuesday night, 20 Senators voted for the Bill, and 2 voted against.
The passing of this bill comes just weeks before the country’s referendum on same sex marriage on 22nd May.