Three in four people agree with allowing the principle of same-sex marriage in the Constitution, a poll has revealed.
The findings are part of research done in connection with last year’s referendum seeking to beef up the powers of Oireachtas inquiries, a referendum that was rejected by the electorate.
The research, carried out by academics and polling company Red C on behalf of the Government, looked at the reasons why the referendum was defeated.
However, it also examined what voters thought of other constitutional issues.
Voters were asked if they supported or opposed various reforms, a number of which are likely to be debated in this year’s constitutional convention — the consultative forum being set up by the Government to consider changes to the Constitution.
The research found:
* 87% believe the number of TDs should be significantly reduced.
* 75% believe the Oireachtas should be able to hold inquiries into matters of general public importance.
* 73% believe same-sex marriages should be allowed in the Constitution.
* 59% believe the Seanad should be abolished.
* 53% believe the offence of blasphemy should be removed from the Constitution.
* 51% believe references to women’s life within the home should be removed from the Constitution.
As for the inquiries referendum, 58% of those who voted no expressed support for the idea behind the amendment.
The researchers suggested there were three possible reasons for these people voting no: That the proposal went too far; that the yes campaign was poor; and that some voted no for other reasons unrelated to the referendum itself.
The research, carried out by academics and polling company Red C on behalf of the Government, looked at the reasons why the referendum was defeated.
However, it also examined what voters thought of other constitutional issues.
Voters were asked if they supported or opposed various reforms, a number of which are likely to be debated in this year’s constitutional convention — the consultative forum being set up by the Government to consider changes to the Constitution.
The research found:
* 87% believe the number of TDs should be significantly reduced.
* 75% believe the Oireachtas should be able to hold inquiries into matters of general public importance.
* 73% believe same-sex marriages should be allowed in the Constitution.
* 59% believe the Seanad should be abolished.
* 53% believe the offence of blasphemy should be removed from the Constitution.
* 51% believe references to women’s life within the home should be removed from the Constitution.
As for the inquiries referendum, 58% of those who voted no expressed support for the idea behind the amendment.
The researchers suggested there were three possible reasons for these people voting no: That the proposal went too far; that the yes campaign was poor; and that some voted no for other reasons unrelated to the referendum itself.