Words: Steve Brown

Same-sex couples in Ireland will be able to list themselves as ‘parent’ allowing both partners to register on their child’s birth certificate.

Currently, birth certificates only include ‘mother’ and ‘father’ categories and those for donor-assisted children born to same-sex couples only allow one mother to be listed.

But the new amendment has been designed to be more accommodating to same-sex couples, according to TheJournal.ie.

Social Protection Minister Regina Doherty said: “While the changes proposed will affect a relatively small number of people, they touch on matters that are very sensitive and of great importance to those families affected.

“I have met with and spoken to many affected by this issue and I am now very pleased to be able to bring these changes forward as a priority to ensure that they can be introduced as soon as possible.”

The case has been raised in the Lower House of the Irish parliament last year and the completed bill will go before the House of the Oierachtas this spring.