FOURTEEN same sex couples have entered civil unions in Donegal in the first six months of the year, rights campaigners have said.
The figures were released by the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network which is campaigning for marriage rights.
More than 1,500 couples in the country have entered civil unions.
“Civil Partnerships continue to be a great success for Ireland. Lesbian and gay couples in every county in Ireland have celebrated their love and commitment to each other, warmly supported by their families, friends and neighbours” said Brian Sheehan, Director of GLEN.
“These 1,500 couples have contributed enormously to the remarkable progress in Ireland for lesbian and gay people and to further progress towards marriage and full constitutional equality for lesbian and gay couples and families.
“Civil partnerships have been a truly national success with couples in every single county entering into a civil partnership.”
Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald recently recognised marriages of lesbian and gay couples in England and Wales, who will automatically be treated as civil partners in Ireland.
Couples who live in Ireland who have married in England and Wales join the hundreds of other lesbian and gay couples who married or entered civil partnership abroad, whose relationships are automatically recognised in Ireland as civil partnerships.
Mr Sheehan said the growing number of unions showed Ireland was ready for gay marriage.
“We believe that the strong welcome for civil partnerships throughout the country shows that Ireland is ready for the next step to provide for civil marriage for lesbian and gay couples through a constitutional referendum,” said he said.
Kieran Rose, chairperson of GLEN welcomed new poll findings supporting gay and lesbian relationships.
“A new poll in The Sunday Times shows a huge majority of people – 86% of people – approve of lesbian and gay relationships. The poll also found that two thirds of Irish people approved of lesbian and gay couples adopting,” said Rose.
“This is another welcome demonstration of the transformation in attitudes to lesbian and gay people and of the generosity of Irish voters in their willingness to extend equal status and dignity to lesbian and gay people and lesbian and gay headed families.”
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