10 METRO Friday, December 4, 2009 D Make finding the ideal Christmas gift this Christmas a simple task, by simply logging onto www.lyrath.com or contacting the Reception team directly at Lyrath Estate Hotel. A simple to source gift, yet a gift full of pleasure. A Lyrath Gift Voucher gives you the opportunity to dine in Yindees Oriental Restaurant or La Perla Restaurant. Alternatively pass the time away unwinding in the Oasis Spa or avail of a luxurious overnight stay. Lyrath Estate Hotel Spa & Convention Centre Dublin Road, Kilkenny, Ireland Tel: +353 56 7760088 Fax: +353 56 7760089 Email: info@lyrath.com www.lyrath.com Spoil someone special this Christmas H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H Im dreaming of a White House... The White house is celebrating Christmas with recycled ornaments, natural materials and, of course, a gingerbread White house. The work of culinary art is covered in white chocolate and has a marzipan replica of family dog, Bo. Reflect, Rejoice, Renew is the theme for the Obama familys first Christmas in the White house. Michelle Obama said the theme was chosen because her family spends the holidays reflecting on its blessings, rejoicing in the company of friends and family. Google in denial of parasite claim GOOGLe yesterday denied the search engine acts as a content- stealing parasite claiming it is more like a virtual newsagent. Matt Brittin, managing director of Google UK, was speaking to the British house of Commons on the future of local and regional media. he said Google contained snippets with a link to the originators website, in line with copyright law. Its wrong to paint us as stealing content. We are, if you like, a virtual newsagent. Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi and Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, left, speak following a summit in Rome. Moscow signalled its support for the new US strategy for the Afghanistan war by agreeing to let troops transit its territory as well as helping with training May I Have tHIs dance? By BRIAN HUTTON Gay group anger at marriage lawPLANS to bring in civil partnership laws have been denounced as crumbs from the wedding cake by a gay campaign group which insists they dont go far enough. As the Dil began its debate on the Civil Partnership Bill, the Govern- ment was accused of creating a sec- ond-class citizenship for same-sex couples. Dr Mark McCarron, of gay mar- riage campaign group Noise, said while the new legislation would grant some important rights to gay couples, it would not equal civil weddings. The Civil Partnership Bill will function to further marginalise gay and lesbian people, telling them their relationships are lesser than those of heterosexuals, he said. Civil marriage is a civil right that all citizens enjoy except gay and lesbian people, and we believe this is unfair. Dr McCarron said the proposed civil partnership legislation was creating a whole parallel system for gay relationships. While the bill allows rights and protections in relation to inherit- ance, medical rights, taxes and so- cial welfare, it contentiously gives no legal recognition for the children of gay couples. The most disgusting omission from the bill is it ignores the fact that gay and lesbian people have children, said Dr McCarron. A recent survey of gays and lesbi- ans over the age of 35 found that 40 per cent of women and 16 per cent of men have children and this bill completely ignores their existence, he said. Gay rights organisation Glen also hit out at what it branded a critical omission over the lack of legal rec- ognition for children being parented by same-sex couples. While welcoming the bill, chair- man Kieran Rose said they were strongly urging the Government to bridge that gap during the debate. This is a major civil rights reform that will resolve many immediate and pressing issues faced by lesbian and gay couples, said Mr Rose. This legislation shows again that we are an open and welcoming so- ciety and that, even at a time of great economic crisis, we can make significant social progress. The equality Authority described the planned laws as a historic step forward for civil rights in Ireland but also underlined the lack of rec- ognition for children. In reality, many same-sex couples are already parents, said equality Authority chairwoman Angela Ker- ins. Christian group evangelical Al- liance said it supported the bill. Randy Romans are paying the price for having safe sexWHEN in Rome... dont buy condoms, according to the latest price checks on contraceptives. Italian stallions in the Eternal City have to fork out more than anyone else in the world for safe sex, a new study reveals. Randy Romans pay a staggering 14 for a pack of ten condoms nearly double the global average of 7.35. But dont gasp just yet, we Dubliners have the second priciest condoms in the world at an average price of 9.80, while romantic Parisians buy them for 8.95. Amorous Londoners are hit slightly less below the belt, paying 7.27, while jammy Indians in Mumbai shell out the least for the protection just 1.40 per ten-pack of Durex Pleasuremax. Marc Thomas, of PriceRunner, which carried out the research, said the average person believes that when it comes to romance, the French and Italians were simply unbeatable. While condoms are available from family planning clinics and some students unions, Rebecca Findlay, of leading British sexual health charity FPA, said condoms should be available free of charge at all GP surgeries and health clinics. index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html24.html25.html26.html27.html