Áine Brady (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)

The definition of "couple" is set out in section 4. Section 4(1) states:

In this Act, "couple" means-

(a) two persons married to each other,

(b) a man and woman who are not married to each other but are cohabiting as husband and wife, or

(c) two persons of the same sex who are cohabiting in domestic circumstances comparable to that of a man and woman who are not married to each other but are cohabiting as husband and wife,

who are habitually living together at the date of the making of an application for State support...

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