Gay principal praises law on same-sex civil union [Independent.ie]
- Published: 29 April 2011
A GAY principal of a small rural primary school has welcomed the law allowing same-sex civil partnerships.
One of its consequences is that gay and lesbian teachers will now enjoy the same pension and marital leave entitlements as heterosexual couples.
Cathal O'Riada of Cuil Aodha national school in the west Cork Gaeltacht, said it was a "hugely important step in the right direction".
Mr O'Riada is chairperson of the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Teachers (LGBT) Group. He is son of the late Sean O'Riada, who led the renaissance of Irish traditional music in the 1960s.
Mr O'Riada said the new legislation had many implications for schools, not least the issue of marital leave for gay, lesbian and bisexual teachers.
The new law, which came into effect in January, provides, for the first time, legal recognition for same-sex couples.
In the past week, the Department of Education formally advised schools and other education bodies of the changes and the need to treat civil partners in the same way as married couples.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
