Thousands of campaigners marched through the streets of Dublin today to demand same sex couples have full civil marriage rights.

Gay rights groups have today called for a number of reforms to the Civil Partnership Bill which is set to be debated by the Dáil this evening as part of its progress into law.

THE Government’s Civil Partnership Bill has been criticised as a “halfway house” because it stops short of allowing gay and lesbian people to marry.

THERE has been a growth in public support for allowing same-sex couples to marry in civil ceremonies, according to an opinion poll to be published today.

The campaign group MarriagEquality says its latest survey shows increased public support for gay marriage in Ireland.