As reported earlier this week the commencement order for the  Civil Partnership and Certain Rights of Cohabitants Act 2010 was signed by Minister for Justice and Law Reform, Dermot Ahern.

A video has been released of the signing ceremony (can anyone point me to any other ocassion or legislation where such a ceremony has been made so public in Ireland?)

The commencement order means that the first civil partnerships can take place in April 2011 after three months notice have been given to the Civil Registrar. Those who have marriages and Civil Partnerships from other countries will have their relationships immediately recognised from January 3 2011.  The Act will also see those in same sex relationships policed by the state – ie those living together (and not in a civil partnership) will be treated as being dependents for the purposes of social welfare payments.

Information onf Civil Partnerships and the requirements can be found here.

(Video Courtesy of Karl Hayden)