A civil partnership is an exclusive union, potentially for life, of two adults of the same sex. Since 2011, same-sex couples may enter into a civil partnership in the Republic of Ireland.

Same-sex couples who are married or in civil partnerships or other legal unions celebrated in certain jurisdictions other than the Republic of Ireland are automatically recognised as civil partners in the Republic of Ireland provided the relevant type of legal relationship in that jurisdiction has been formally recognised by an order made by the Minister for Justice and Equality.

We already have reliable data on the number of same-sex couples who have entered into a civil partnership in the Republic of Ireland. What we do not know is how many same-sex couples resident in the Republic of Ireland have formed legally recognised unions outside the Republic of Ireland.

The purpose of this brief survey is to find out how many same-sex couples living in the Republic of Ireland have entered into legally recognised marriages, civil partnerships, civil unions or other legal unions OUTSIDE the Republic of Ireland.

If you are a same-sex couple living in the Republic of Ireland and you have entered into a legally recognised marriage, civil partnership, civil union or other legal union OUTSIDE the Republic of Ireland (e.g. in Canada, Northern Ireland, Great Britain, New York State etc...) I would be very grateful if you could complete the survey.

If you are a same-sex couple living in the Republic of Ireland and you are planning in the next two years to enter into a legally recognised marriage, civil partnership, civil union or other legal union OUTSIDE the Republic of Ireland, I would also be very grateful if you could complete the survey.

The survey is completely anonymous. No identifying details are required. Data are kept for statistical purposes only.

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Here are a few key points to bear in mind:
1. Respondents should be resident in the Republic of Ireland as part of their normal pattern of life (excluding holidays and brief absences) since at least January 2013.

2. Please complete the survey ONLY ONCE.

3. Because of the nature and purpose of the survey, I am looking for responses from same-sex couples only. (I ADORE opposite sex couples too, but I am looking for accurate figures on the number of civil partners. Only same-sex couples can be treated as civil partners).

4. Only ONE response is required PER COUPLE. (i.e. if your partner has already completed the survey, please DO NOT complete the survey again as it will result in a double-counting of the couple).

5. Don't worry about whether your relationship is recognised in Ireland. I will be able to figure that out from the details.

If you have any questions about the survey, please e-mail Fergus Ryan at ferguswryan@gmail.com (Please note that I am not in a position to offer legal advice).

This survey is conducted by Dr Fergus Ryan, NUI, Maynooth. The purpose of the survey is to determine the number of same-sex couples living in Ireland who have entered into legally recognised unions in jurisdiction other than the Republic of Ireland.

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Note for couples where one of the partners is transgender: I appreciate that question 2 makes reference to the legal sex of the partners. In doing so, I do not wish to negate or deny the gender identity of the partners. Because Irish law does not yet permit recognition of the true gender identity of a transgender person, a transgender person is legally treated as being of their originally assigned legal sex for the purpose. The question here is whether the law regards the partners as being of the same legal sex.

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* 1. Have you been resident in the Republic of Ireland for a period of at least one year since January 2013 (with the exception of short absences e.g. for holidays)?

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* 2. Do you have (or have you ever had) a partner who is legally of the same sex?

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* 3. If the answer to Question 2 is YES, have you and your same-sex partner (or former same-sex partner) entered into a formal legal marriage, civil union, civil partnership, domestic partnership or similar legal union in a state or jurisdiction OTHER THAN the Republic of Ireland? (If your answer to this question is NO, please skip to question 8)

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* 4. If the answer to Question 3 is YES, please list the jurisdiction (country, state, province, territory or other place) where you entered into a marriage, civil union, civil partnership or domestic partnership. If you have entered into a civil partnership in the UK, please list the specific jurisdiction - England and Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland. If you have entered into a union in the United States, Australia or Canada, please list the state, province or territory.

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* 5. If your answer to Question 3 was YES, please list the name of the legal union into which you have entered. (e.g. marriage, civil partnership, civil union, domestic partnership).

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* 6. If your answer to Question 3 was YES, in what year did you enter into this legal union?

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* 7. Has this union been formally dissolved/ended?

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* 8. 3. If the answer to Question 2 is YES but your answer to Question 3 is NO, are you and your same-sex partner planning within the next two years to enter into a formal legal marriage, civil union, civil partnership, domestic partnership or similar legal union in a state or jurisdiction OTHER THAN the Republic of Ireland? If Yes, in your answer please list the jurisdiction in which you plan to celebrate your union.

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* 9. Are you and your partner male or female?

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