The Gay and Lesbian Equality Network has welcomed a speech by the Tánaiste in which he said a referendum on same sex marriage could take place next year.

Speaking at an LGBT event at Google headquarters in Dublin yesterday, Eamon Gilmore said the vote could 'realistically' be held in 2014.

The Constitutional Convention will present its report on same sex marriage to the Government in the coming weeks - after which the Government will have four months to decide how to proceed.

Brian Sheehan, the Director of GLEN, says he's delighted with the Tánaiste's statement - and he expects the referendum to pass as he believes Ireland is becoming more open to gay marriage.