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According to Breaking News, the Government has been forced to pay an allowance to a gay man who had to give up work to care for his terminally-ill partner.

“The Government has agreed to pay a dependent allowance to a gay man who had to give up work to care for his terminally ill partner.

The Department of Social and Family Affairs initially refused the man's application last March, but this has now been reversed on appeal.

The Equality Authority says the outcome reflects an important recognition for same-sex couples and their relationships.”

Looks bad for a government that has dragged its feet over recognizing civil partnership. Of course, we’ve had the lip service from Michael McDowell on the matter, but as Suzy Byrne reports the Government is also paying out our money to pay for so called experts to speak on the quality of gay and lesbian family life in the KAL Case when those experts have their own anti-gay marriage axe to grind.

However, if the Green’s make up part of a rainbow Government things might be different:

“The Green Party has launched proposals to legalise gay marriages in Ireland if it forms part of the next Government.

Under the plans, the State would also recognise so-called civil partnerships for homosexual and heterosexual couples who live together but have not tied the knot.

The Greens say the changes would bring the Constitution into line with modern times.

Launching the proposals today, party spokesman Ciaran Cuffe said the Constitution states all citizens must be treated equally, but the State currently discriminates against gays and lesbians in relation to marriage rights.”

Oh shoot, Suzy has beat me to it.