A local TD says the rights of cohabiting couples in Tipp needs to be addressed before the Dáil goes into the Easter recess.
Labour’s Alan Kelly wants legislation fast tracked to provide social protection to grieving partners in cohabiting couples.
He has long campaigned for this having worked with Toomevara man Johnny O’Meara who took a Supreme Court case after the Department of Social Protection ruled that he was not entitled to the widows pension after his partner of 20 years died.
“It’s now over a year since Johnny O’Meara won his landmark Supreme Court case in relation to cohabiting couples Why haven’t the government legislated for this? So many people who lost their partners are waiting for the money that they will receive as a consequence of this Supreme Court decision. The government have no choice but to legislate for this so why aren’t they doing it?
“I’m calling on the government to ensure that they legislate for this by the Easter holidays.”
