The Taoiseach Enda Kenny said allowing marriage for same-sex couples is "the right thing to do" and would send a strong signal to the world.

Mr Kenny said passing a referendum to extend marriage rights would be a strong signal that Ireland was a compassionate nation.

He was speaking at the end of the two-day Fine Gael national conference in Castlebar last night.

Mr Kenny said that as we approach the centenary of the 1916 Rising, it would send out the powerful signal Ireland has evolved into a fair, compassionate and tolerant nation.

He told a live TV audience that the issue facing voters was clear.

He also pledged to work day and night for the next year to secure the recovery - which he said is fragile and incomplete.

He said political stability is needed to underpin economic stability.

He made two promises: that the era of taxes and new charges is over, and that we are never going back to the practices of the past.

The Taoiseach said that bringing emigrants home is also an important step to rebuild pride in Ireland.