good news for gay couples in Ireland

It's far too much to expect gay marriage in Catholic Ireland, but the government is considering making better legal frameworks for gay couples so that they can enjoy the benefits non-gay couples expect and get. I didn't catch the detail. Whatever it is, I hope the government carries it through. Ireland is full of surprises these days, like the excellent no-smoking legislation, the first in Europe and much studied. Of course, gay couples should be allowed the full legal framework of marriage. Only those with a terribly poor opinion of marriage can seriously believe that allowing gay marriage will damage the institution of marriage. But this is a start and another example of the awakening of Ireland from the dark ages of British and then Catholic oppression. It's becoming a great place to be. (image from jason.similarselection.org)