The ‘most important change' to family legislation in the history of the Irish State is being discussed in the Cabinet today (February 17).

According to the Toaiseach, Enda Kenny, the Child and Family Relationships Bill is ‘the most important change in family legislation since the foundation of the State'. It will cover the parental rights of different people, including adoption by same-sex couples.

It will provide unmarried fathers with automatic guardianship rights if they have lived with the mother for one year continuously, including three months after the birth.

The Bill will also cover custody, adoption and guardianship issues for co-habiting couples, as well as relatives who have looked after a child for at least one year.

Meanwhile, the Bill will also cover parental rights when it comes to the complex area of assisted reproduction. It is proposing to regulate areas such as embryo donation and surrogacy.

The Bill is being brought to Cabinet today by Justice Minister, Frances Fitzgerald.