Ireland has no plans to follow the UK and introduce civil partnerships for opposite-sex couples

The government said that there are no plans to change the law in Ireland.

Heart disease and cancer are the most common causes of death in Ireland

Here are the latest statistics on births, deaths and marriages.

Want to get married on a Sunday in January? You're literally* the only person who does

*Slight exaggeration – there are a few of you.

Madeleine McCann, jewel thefts and mortgages: The week in numbers

Plus: What percentage unemployment rate does Taoiseach Enda Kenny want to see in 2016?

Civil partnerships, stocks, and twisters: The week in numbers

Plus: How many days before Christmas was an advent calender spotted in Dunnes?

More than 500 civil partnership ceremonies took place in 2011

There were 335 male unions and 201 female unions in the first year civil partnerships became legal.

Birth rate declines by 9 per cent as marriages increase

The figures from the Central Statistics Office also showed that 36.5 per cent of total births in January to March were to parents outside marriage.

There were 429 civil partnerships in the state last year

Of these, 263 couples were male and 166 were female as GLEN describes the couples as “pioneers”.

Cyber-bullying should be a crime says rapporteur on child protection

The child protection report also recommends guardianship should apply to civil partnerships.

Cameron faces dissent in the ranks over gay marriage bill

Large sections of the British Prime Minister’s Conservative party are fiercely opposed to the idea.

Chief Justice launches guide to rights for gay couples

The guidelines point out rights and obligations attached to civil partnerships and protection for cohabiting couples.

Oireachtas agenda: Seven Bills to be wrapped up before Christmas break

Michael D Higgins will be busy over Christmas: no fewer than seven Bills will be wrapped up today and sent for signature.

Birth rate down by 2.3 per cent in second quarter of 2012

New CSO figures show there were 17,958 births in the second quarter, with the average mother aged 31.9.

Oireachtas agenda: Budget aftermath, expert group and same-sex partnerships

The Dáil debates the Budget and the Expert Group report, while the Seanad allows secular bodies to perform civil ceremonies.

New figures show every county in Ireland has hosted civil partnership ceremony

Data shows that 862 couples have entered civil partnerships in the 17 months since they were first permitted in Ireland.

Column: I’m not in a “same-sex marriage”. I’m in a marriage.

Small changes in language could make a world of difference at the Constitutional Convention, writes Senator Katherine Zappone – so let’s get it right.

Column: Shouldn’t we be over gay people in the workplace?

Many workers still feel they have to hide their sexual orientation, writes Davin Roche. Changing this would be good for business.

Church of England objects to government's gay marriage plan

The Church says that it could be forced to stop conducting weddings on behalf of the state if gay marriage is legalised.

Department promises 'mopping up' measures to give tax equality to same-sex couples

The Department of Finance commits to making the final changes necessary to give equal treatment to same-sex partners.

Poll: Should Ireland introduce same-sex marriage?

Ireland already has civil partnerships for couples who want to make a commitment – but should the country follow Barack Obama’s lead on gay marriage?

Transgender woman becomes first to enter Irish same-sex partnership

Transgender people can currently only enter same-sex civil partnerships if their new gender was registered in another country.

New Hampshire quashes attempt to ban gay marriage

A large Republican majority in the state House of Representatives is not enough to overturn laws allowing full gay marriage.

Catholic Church moves against gay marriage proposals

The Pope has denounced the “powerful” US gay marriage lobby, while Catholics in Britain have been urged to defend heterosexual unions.

The 5 at 5: Tuesday

5 minutes, 5 stories, 5 o’clock…

Same-sex partnerships from abroad to be recognised in Ireland

Gay couples who were married in New York, Illinois, South Africa and other parts of the world will be recognised as being in a civil partnership under Irish law.

'Campaign for Conscience' lodges Supreme Court challenge to same-sex partnerships

The Mayo-based group believes major parts of the Civil Partnership Act are in conflict with the Constitution and therefore illegal.

Christian hotel owners launch appeal to gay couple's court win

A devout Christian couple, who were forced to pay compensation to a gay couple who tried to stay in their B&B, launch an appeal.

Column: Why should our love be valued less than anyone else’s?

Most people think same-sex couples should have full marriage equality – so what’s taking so long, asks Kirsten Fjoser.

Poll: Should Ireland lift the ban on same-sex marriage?

Demonstrators in Dublin are today seeking to lift the ban on same-sex marriage. What do you think about the issue?

Bill awarding equal tax rights to couples in civil partnerships published

The Bill will allow couples in civil partnerships to avail of income tax, stamp duty, capital acquisitions tax, capital gains tax and VAT benefits – just as married couples can.

US bishop authorises official church blessings for same-sex couples

California bishop Chester Talton said committed gay relationships are a “sacred union” and they will be officially recognised by the church from Sunday.

Judge who struck down Californian gay marriage ban confirms: ‘I’m gay’

Judge Vaughn Walker, who retired a few months after his landmark decision, confirms that he himself is homosexual.

Dublin couple one of first to enter same sex civil partnership

A couple from Dublin will be one of the first to be formally joined on Irish soil in a ceremony later today.

The Daily Fix: Sunday

Catch up on the day’s main news, as well as the bits and pieces you may have missed earlier.

Marriage and civil partnership 'not equal', LGBT survey finds

A new survey shows that 8 out of 9 people in same-sex relationships believe a civil partnership to be a lesser institution.

Gay couple wins appeal over hotel's policy "discrimination"

A Christian couple is told their policy that unmarried couples – including homosexuals – cannot share rooms is unlawful.

Overseas Civil Partnerships to be acknowledged from today

Ahern signs order to enable civil partnerships

The Commencement Order is signed to bring the Civil Partnership Act into law as of January 1 next year.

'March for marriage' to kick off in Dublin

Protesters who feel the Civil Partnership Bill doesn’t go far enough will take to the streets at 2pm.

Californian court overturns ban on gay marriages

Proposition 8 overturned because gay people ‘don’t have the option of entering straight marriages’.