Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 392: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the evidence he has relied upon to reach the view that the majority of the State's lesbian and gay community do not want marriage. [19060/06]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 393: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that leaders within the State's gay and lesbian community (details supplied) have contradicted his claim that their members do not want marriage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19061/06]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 394: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on whether the majority of the State's lesbian and gay community believe that no member of their community should be able to avail of the right to marry; and if so, the evidence upon which he has reached this view. [19062/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 392 to 394, inclusive, together.

Married people owe each other many judicially enforceable duties such as a duty on maintenance, a special duty in respect of any home used by them and many other duties. Married status also involves other legal issues such as judicial competence over capital assets, divorce, competence as a witness, subjection to family law and other legal consequences. It is my view that many same sex couples, in common with many opposite sex couples, would not choose to commit to the array of rights and duties consequent on marriage if this option was available to them.

With a view to identifying the options available to the legislature in according legal recognition to same sex couples, and other forms of partnerships, I recently established a Working Group on Domestic Partnership. The Group is charged with preparing an Options Paper to be presented to me by 20 October 2006.