DUBLIN – Some of Ireland’s *** couples planning a civil partnership may receive a surprisingly fast upgrade to marriage. The referendum could also have a positive effect on tourism as couples from countries where it is not legal, come to Ireland to get married.

Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald announced Monday that the bill to legalize *** marriage, following its landslide approval in Friday’s referendum, should be passed before lawmakers’ planned July 16 summer recess.

She says as part of the law, those *** couples already scheduled to be wed in civil partnership ceremonies following the bill’s passage will have their pre-booked events legally upgraded to full-fledged marriages.

Fitzgerald said: “I am very conscious that many couples will want to get married as soon as possible. I am working to make that happen.”

*** couples in Ireland have been entitled to marriage-style civil partnerships since 2011. Like marriages, these must be scheduled at least three months in advance.