RECOGNITION IN NORTHERN IRELAND OF SAME SEX MARRIAGES PERFORMED IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND AND WALES

That this House notes that under the terms of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013, provisions are made for the marriages of same sex couples performed in England, Scotland and Wales to be treated as civil partnerships, and thus the spouses to be treated and referred to as civil partners in Northern Ireland; further notes that the Northern Ireland Registrar will not recognise marriages until the law is changed; notes that in practice, among other things, this means in the event of a spouse's death, the Northern Ireland Registrar refers to the remaining spouse only as the surviving civil partner, removing the status of the marriage in the public records; regrets that because of the provisions of the Act same sex couples married in England, Scotland and Wales in effect have the legal status of their marriages changed should they choose to settle in Northern Ireland; and resolves that the Government should bring about appropriate legislative action to allow for the full legal recognition of same sex marriages conducted in England, Scotland and Wales as marriages in Northern Ireland, for the purposes of registry and all other legal references and rights associated.