by Rex Wockner
Ireland's government will pass a law to extend marriage-like rights to same-sex couples, Taoiseach (prime minister) Bertie Ahern said July 16.
Speaking at the reopening of the refurbished Outhouse LGBT community center, Ahern said his government is committed to full equality for gay couples, the Evening Echo newspaper reported.
"We will legislate for civil partnerships at the earliest possible date in the lifetime of this government," Ahern said.
The Outhouse center provides office space to 70 LGBT groups and contains a library and cafe.
