The trade union Unite is writing to its members, urging them to vote Yes in the forthcoming same-sex marriage referendum on Friday.

Last week, delegates at its Irish policy conference voted overwhelmingly to support the referendum.

"The trade union movement is based on the principles of equality and solidarity. Next Friday, by voting Yes, we will all have a chance to show solidarity with our fellow citizens who have been denied equality," says the union's Ireland Secretary, Jimmy Kelly,

"Let us be very clear. This referendum is about one thing, and about one thing only: extending the right to contract a civil marriage to all loving couples who wish to make a commitment to one another."

"Unite is urging all our members to go out on Friday, vote Yes, and help Ireland take a further step on the road to equality", he added.

Polling stations will open from 7am to 10pm on Friday.

#VoterMotor

Meanwhile, voters are being urged to car pool on referendum day this Friday.

The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) has launched the 'Voter Motor' campaign on social media, whereby people will offer spaces in their cars to get to polling stations.

The union is calling for a Yes vote in the same-sex marriage referendum, and says it has registered more than 27,000 students to vote.

USI president, Laura Harmon, is encouraging people to get involved using the hashtag VoterMotor on Twitter.