The Cabinet is expected to publish a Bill allowing same-sex couples to adopt early next week.

It is expected to give new guardianship rights to unmarried fathers, to same-sex partners and wider family members.

According to The Irish Times, the Child and Family Relationships Bill is expected to be passed into law in a matter of weeks - ahead of the same-sex marriage referendum.

The Government had promised that this Bill would be enacted before same-sex marriage vote in May - to clarify issues of parentage and adoption before the campaign begins in earnest.

The Bill will come before Cabinet next Tuesday to be signed-off and Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald has briefed TDs that she is likely to publish it as soon as possible.

It is reported this morning that the legislation will be enacted in just over a month - and may also contain measures addressing issues surrounding parentage in cases of assisted reproduction.