Ireland PM
promises legalized civil partnerships

Bertie Ahern, prime minister of Ireland, has pledged that the government will pass laws legalizing civil unions for gay couples as soon as possible, the Irish Post's Web site reports.

The announcement came as Ahern spoke at the reopening of Outhouse, a refurbished LGBT community center in Dublin that has endured two arson attacks.

"This government is committed to providing a more supportive and secure legal environment for same-sex couples," Ahern said, according to the article. "We will legislate for civil partnerships at the earliest possible date in the lifetime of this government." (The Advocate)