The Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010 introduced Civil Partnerships in Irish Law in 2011. Same sex marriage was subsequently given legal standing. Civil Partnerships existed to give same sex couples the right to register their civil partnership in the absence of an option to marry.

As with marriage, a civil partnership affords rights and responsibilities to the parties in regards to maintenance, inheritance, tax law, the home, pensions and domestic violence.

Where these relationships fail either party can apply to the Court for a dissolution of the relationship. The court also has powers to make ancillary financial relief orders but need only do so for the parties to the civil partnership and not any dependants.

A Court may grant a decree of dissolution if it is satisfied that:

• At the date of the institution of the proceedings the civil partners have lived apart from one another for a period of or a period amounting to at least two years during the previous three years; and
• Proper provision, having regard to the circumstances, exists or will be made for the civil partners.