Ireland's Justice Department confirmed Sunday that it plans to draft a same-sex marriage bill this week that will permit those taking vows in civil ceremonies to choose to be "husband and wife" or "spouses of each other." The government will ensure no church is required to perform a gay marriage. Deputy Prime Minister Joan Burton said she expects the bill to become law by early July. Because existing law requires a minimum three-month notice for any civil marriages, the first gay weddings cannot happen until the fall.
