Same-Sex Couple Challenges Irish Passport Office’s Discrimination

A same-sex couple in Ireland, Robyn Ormond-Collins and Evangeline Jane Collins, have raised serious concerns about alleged discrimination at the hands of the Irish Passport Office. They claim that their experience highlights significant issues surrounding equality and citizenship rights for LGBTQ+ families. The couple is calling for public awareness, believing their situation may resonate with other same-sex families facing similar challenges.

Their son, Wyn Ormond-Collins, was born in the United Kingdom on August 8, 2025. Robyn, an Irish citizen, is Wyn’s genetic parent, while Evangeline is recognized as his birth parent, having carried him through a gestational surrogacy arrangement. On August 8, 2025, the couple submitted an application for an Irish passport for Wyn, applying for citizenship by descent through Robyn.

After several months of silence, they received a letter from the Department of Foreign Affairs on November 28, 2025, which they described as “deeply distressing.” The couple expressed their frustration over being required to prove genetic parentage, a requirement they argue is not imposed on opposite-sex couples in similar situations. They stated, “Opposite-sex married couples are not asked to prove genetic parentage. Their marriages are not treated as conditional or insufficient.”

The couple believes that the Passport Office’s refusal to recognize Robyn’s parental status is indicative of discriminatory practices against same-sex couples. They highlighted that their interactions with the Passport Office have been challenging, characterized by a lack of clarity and support.

“The letter we received was signed by a senior official, Marie Eardly, yet despite multiple calls and requests, we have been repeatedly refused her direct email address,” they stated. This has compounded their feelings of frustration, as they have encountered obstruction and dismissiveness in their attempts to resolve the matter.

Robyn and Evangeline have chosen to speak out publicly because they feel exhausted and hurt by a system that they believe should treat all families equitably. They have reached out to local representatives, specifically all Waterford TDs, to highlight that their experience reflects broader systemic issues affecting LGBTQ+ parents in Ireland.

“We believe the public should be made aware of how Irish institutions are handling cases involving same-sex families, particularly where the law is being applied in a way that appears unequal, outdated, and inconsistent with modern Irish values,” the couple stated.

They hope that by sharing their story, they can advocate for equal treatment and ensure that their son, along with all children of same-sex couples, is granted the rights and recognition they deserve. The couple’s experience underscores the ongoing challenges faced by LGBTQ+ families in accessing basic rights and raises important questions about equality under Irish law.