Irish citizens are set to undertake a historic referendum today to decide if the country will allow marriage equality.

As the definition of marriage is written into the country’s constitution a referendum is required to allow same sex couples to wed.

If successful, Ireland will become the first nation to install marriage equality through a popular vote.

At the voting booth the people of Ireland will be asked ” “Marriage may be contracted in accordance with law by two persons without distinction as to their sex.” If more people vote ‘yes’ than ‘no’ – then the country will allow same sex couples to marry in civil ceremonies.

If successful Ireland will follow in the steps of Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Uruguay, Finland and Slovenia in introducing marriage equality.

The latest polls indicate that the ‘Yes’ vote is likely to be successful. A Sunday Times/ Behavioural Atttudes poll published last week predicted that 63% of people surveyed supported change, 26% were opposed and 11% were undecided.

The worrying trend for marriage equality advocates is that the number of supporters had dropped significantly in comparison to polls taken a month earlier. Conservative commentators have argued that supporters of a no vote have remained silent and that polls may be overstating the support.

Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenney has said that he is confident the referendum will pass.

OIP Staff

Image: Pride Flags Flying Over Aston Quay, Dublin in the wake of gay marriage debate – Stock Image: YayMicro|Fireglo