Co-habiting Couples Rights + Legislation

elgicko

Hi all,

Firstly I am just interested in people's opinions here, my intention is not to offend anyone at all, I am really exercised about how co-habiting couples are treated in this country and the lack of action over many many years of our elected representatives.

How do people feel that there are over 150k couples in Ireland who are effectively treated different to that of married couples, in lots of areas, taking into account our liberal society.

Summed up in article at bottom

It really annoys me that our politicians fall over themselves to enact lots of legislation, recent ones come to mind such as MUP, long term undocumented migrants.

What are they doing for hard working people in the country who choose not to get married, buy a house, have kids, pay a load of tax, etc... Very little automatic protection to that afforded to married couples.

My situation is, long term co-habiting, one income, two kids, mortgage. We are not opposed to marriage and love each other to bits, just never got around to getting married, doesnt seem right in this day and age that people in this country have to get married to get the same rights as married couples.

Really annoys me, am I alone??

I feel a trip to a few constituency offices, to put it up to them and ask for requests for PQ's and Representations to all TD's who come to mind!!

Rant over :)

Mrs OBumble

Costs €250 and a registry office appointment to get married. Just do it.

I'm far more irate that social welfare entitlements aren't based on marriage: cohabitating couples are treated as married from a welfare point of view.

elgicko

Can't post the link to article because apparently I don't have 100 posts!

Search for : Irish cohabiting couples still worse off than those in UK or France

miamee

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118587642#Comment_118587642

Here it is https://www.irishtimes.com/business/personal-finance/irish-cohabiting-couples-still-worse-off-than-those-in-uk-or-france-1.3831859

elgicko

Thanks miamee !

Neyite

I'm far more irate that social welfare entitlements aren't based on marriage: cohabitating couples are treated as married from a welfare point of view.

My bugbear too. I paid into the taxation /social contributions as a single person rate since my teens. The one time I was unemployed for 5 months, I got means tested because my boyfriend had a job.