Dáil to debate on allowing lesbian couples to both register as parents of sperm donor babies

There's been a step towards equality for all Irish parents as a new proposal inches closer to becoming law.

A bill proposing to allow lesbian couples to both register as the parents of their child conceived using a sperm donor is set to go before the Dáil. The cabinet has signed off on legislation that will give same-sex female partners equal parenting rights, reports the Irish Independent. As it stands, only the woman who gives birth to a baby can register as a parent on the child's birth certificate. Birth certs also currently only allow for the labels of 'Mother’ and ‘Father' but lesbians will be able to use the word 'Parent'. The change would also make the process of applying for a child's passport easier for lesbian mums as both women will be able to be named on the child's passport. Male same-sex couples will not be affected by the proposed changes as they fall under separate laws relating to surrogacy. "While the changes proposed will affect a relatively small number of people, they touch on matters that are very sensitive and of great importance to those families affected," Minister for Social Protection Regina Doherty said last month. The bill is due before the Dáil in the coming weeks.