Govt to forge ahead on civil unions says Delrio

(ANSA) - Rimini, August 24 - Transport Minister Graziano Delrio said Monday the government will forge ahead on legalizing civil unions, which will mostly affect gay couples. "The government agrees on moving forward," he told a meeting of influential lay Catholic group Comunione e Liberazione (CL).
    "The necessary parliamentary debate will take place, but we are proceeding".
    The minister went on to say that committed couples who live together "are a sociological aspect that needs to be regulated".
    "I don't believe (doing this) would erode the constitutionally protected value and significance of marriage," he said.
    Such a bill is now before parliament after the European Court of Human Rights last month told Italy to enact such legislation to protect the rights of gay couples.