Civil Partnership law to be passed in Ireland

An agreement has been reached between the political parties in Ireland that a Bill to be introduced into the Irish Parliament (the Dail) in the Autumn to allow Civil Partnerships will receive speedy passage and is expected to become law early next year. The subject of same-sex partners adopting children has not been addressed, but the legislation is generally welcomed by the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (GLEN) as representing a "beautiful day for Irish society".