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Poll casts doubt over lead of Yes side in gay marriage referendum

A new poll on the upcoming same-sex marriage referendum has found that almost half of voters - 46...
Newstalk
Newstalk

07.05 25 Jan 2015


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Poll casts doubt over lead of...

Poll casts doubt over lead of Yes side in gay marriage referendum

Newstalk
Newstalk

07.05 25 Jan 2015


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A new poll on the upcoming same-sex marriage referendum has found that almost half of voters - 46% - have "some reservations" over the issue.

The Red C poll in The Sunday Business Post finds that the number of certain Yes voters is on 44%.

The paper says that while the poll does find a large majority of 77% support same-sex marriage, much of that support appears to be soft - and could potentially be lost in the run up to polling day.

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It says that 59% agree strongly that they will vote Yes to change the Constitution, with 18% only agreeing tentatively.

The same poll finds that 38% of voters have reservations about adoption by same-sex couples.

Red C interviewed a random sample of 1,0005 adults by phone on January 19th and 21st for this survey.

Meanwhile, the gay rights group GLEN says the poll shows consistent support for marriage for lesbian and gay couples.

GELN chair, Kieran Rose, said: "It is clear from this poll and other recent polls that Irish people firmly accept that lesbian and gay couples should be afforded the same respect, legal status and protections in the Constitution that are available to the rest of society."

"The figures are very positive but a lot of work will be required to ensure the amendment passes."

"We look forward to widespread conversations and engagement with people all across the country to explain why marriage matters to lesbian and gay people and to seek their vote in the forthcoming referendum," he added.

Tiarnan Brady from GLEN says the figures are positive. However, he knows a lot of work still needs to be done.

While editor of the Irish Catholic newspaper, Michael Kelly, believes that numbers against same-sex marriage will increase in the coming weeks.

The justice minister published the wording of the referendum last week, which states "marriage may be contracted in accordance with law by two persons without distinction as to their sex".

Ministers signed off on the document at a special Cabinet meeting on Wednesday. However, the exact date for the holding of the referendum in May has still to be decided.

The referendum will be held in May, alongside the Carlow-Kilkenny by-election and a vote on a proposal to lower the age for contesting the Presidency from 35 to 21.


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