Minister for Justice Michael McDowell will today address a conference in Dublin on developing a legal status for same-sex and cohabiting couples.
Senior legal figures from Canada, Spain, the United Kingdom, The Netherlands and Ireland will review best practice and explore a vision for the future for gay partnerships and cohabiting couples.
It is hoped the event, at the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, will stimulate debate on a new status and standing for same-sex couples in Irish society.
The conference, entitled the Legal Status of Cohabitants and Same Sex Couples, will focus on informing and shaping the debate on providing legal status by exploring international practice in the area.
It has been organised by the Working Group on Domestic Partnership, the Equality Authority and Gay and Lesbian Equality Network.