Poll shows support for same sex marriage

There is growing support amongst the population for the introduction of same sex marriages, a new survey has revealed.

A survey to be published in tomorrow's Sunday Tribune shows that nearly two thirds of voters here support equality in civil marriage for gays and lesbians .

It is a significant increase on a previous survey conducted just eight months ago.

Andrew Long of the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network is encouraged by the latest findings.

"We believe civil marriage is the best route because it's equality and I think that's the way we should go," he said.

"Both the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste have made very noble statements about gay and lesbian people being full and equal citizens in the Republic, and I think that's been realised.

"What the poll indicates is that most people are in favour of that kind of equality."