DUBLIN: The majority of people want gay marriage to be legalised.
More than six out of every 10 voters believe same-sex marriages should be recognised by the State, according to the latest Irish Independent/Millward Brown Lansdowne survey.
The figures show just 27pc of voters are opposed to the idea of gay marriage.
The issue has proved hugely divisive in the past year.
Last July, President Mary McAleese signed the Civil Partnership Bill into law, in the face of protests from senior bishops.
The legislation, which came into effect last month, gives legal recognition to same-sex relationships together with a range of rights and protections including maintenance obligations, protection of a shared home, pension rights and succession.
However, some campaigners within the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community have argued that the laws do not go far enough by stopping short of gay marriage.
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