ΙΡΛΑΝΔΙΑ. ΠΕΡΙΣΣΟΤΕΡΑ ΤΑ ΔΙΑΖΥΓΙΑ ΤΩΝ ΓΥΝΑΙΚΕΙΩΝ ΖΕΥΓΑΡΙΩΝ ΣΕ ΣΧΕΣΗ ΜΕ ΤΑ ΑΝΔΡΙΚΑ

Lesbian couples are much more likely to dissolve their relationships than gay ones, new figures published by the Court Service indicate.

The statistics show that 6pc of the 2,071 civil partnerships – the precursor to same-sex marriage – entered into between 2011 and 2015 ended up being dissolved.

However, there was a huge disparity between the proportion of gay and lesbian couples formally calling it a day.

Around 12pc of lesbian partnerships had been dissolved by the end of last year, compared with just 2.4pc of gay partnerships.

The reason for the disparity is unclear, but the statistics are broadly in line with trends abroad.

Of 1,298 gay civil partnerships, 31 ended with applications for a dissolution.

In comparison, of the 733 lesbian partnerships registered in Ireland, applications had been made to dissolve 88 of these up to the end of last year.

Data contained in the Courts Service Annual Report for 2015, published today, also revealed how the heterosexual divorce rate in Ireland was the highest it has ever been last year.

(independent.ie, 12/7/2016)