The poll was carried out by MarriagEquality and shows that 70% of those surveyed said that raising a child or children in a loving home is of greater importance than being raised by a mother and father.

Other findings from the poll will be published today, with MarriagEquality director, Moninne Griffith, stating that the findings will provide a fresh impetus towards securing equal marriage rights for gay and lesbian couples.

The report, entitled Civil Marriage Rights for Lesbians and Gay Men — It’s No Joke, will contain other findings, including discrimination against same-sex couples because of existing laws.

"It will show that beyond doubt, Ireland is ready for same-sex couples to marry in a civil ceremony," Ms Griffith said. "Furthermore, the report will reveal the extent to which the Irish public believe that lesbians and gay men are discriminated against by not being able to marry."

Referring to the finding that 70% of those polled believe raising a child in a loving environment supercedes the need for a conventional mother-father setting, Ms Griffith said: "Studies prove that children raised by two mums or two dads fare as well as children raised by a mum and dad.

"Granting couples the choice to marry is a step towards ending the discrimination faced by lesbians, gay men and their children."