They’ve been campaigning for a change in the law since 2019.

And today, members of Cork’s Gay Project are finally welcoming the announcement by Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, TD confirming that the Family Leave and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2021 will contain a clause that extends the right to adoptive leave to married same-sex male couples.

New provisions under the Family Leave and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2021 include an additional three weeks of paid Parents’ Leave and Benefit to each parent to be taken in the first two years after the birth or adoptive placement of a child.

All adopting couples will now be able to choose which parent may avail of adoptive leave, including male same-sex couples who were previously precluded due to an anomaly in legislation.

Paternity Leave and Benefit will be made available to the parent who is not availing of adoptive leave.

“Many people in Ireland assume that LGBTQI+ citizens have the same rights as any other Irish citizens,” said Gay Project Co-ordinator Ailsa Spindler.

“While it is true that there have been tremendous advances in legislating for equal rights in recent years, there are many, small anomalies that, while not affecting huge numbers of people, cause great distress and unfairness for those involved.

“We welcome any steps, such as the announcement from Minister O’Gorman, that bring true equality for all Irish people a bit closer. This will bring joy to those men who have been discriminated against until now.”