A gay couple who are trying to have their marriage recognised in this country have been granted leave by the High Court to pursue their claim through the courts.
Katherine Zappone and Ann Louise Gilligan from Brittas, Co Dublin, are challenging the Revenue's refusal to recognise them as a married couple for tax purposes.
Mr Justice Liam McKechnie held today that they had reached the threshold for pursuing a judicial review.
However, he said this decision was in no way a reflection on what might be the ultimate outcome.
He said the institution of marriage will be at the core of this debate, and that a number of deeply held values will potentially be up for consideration.
'The case embraces far reaching issues touching on many aspects of society,' Mr Justice McKechnie said.
