A new group called StandUp4Marriage has launched its campaign for a No vote in the upcoming same-sex marriage referendum.

The first press conference of StandUP4marriage.com was sparsely attended according to its founder, because people who want to vote no are afraid to speak out.

Senator Jim Walsh, who lost the Fianna Fáil fail whip over his No stance, spoke at the launch.

StandUp4Marriage said it was calling for reason to prevail over emotion.

Meanwhile, Taoiseach Enda Kenny said people had to make a judgment and it was important that they be properly informed.

Responding to the concerns expressed by No voters, Mr Kenny said this was about extending the right of marriage in civil law to every person regardless of their sexual orientation.

He said it was nothing to do with religious ceremonies or churches.

The Taoiseach and Minister for Youth Affairs James Reilly spoke to young people at a BeLonG to Yes event about what a Yes or No vote would mean for them.

They said a No vote would be an outward expression that people disapproved of them while a Yes vote would mean they had the backing of their country to love whom they wanted to love.

Several of the young LGBT men and women who met the Taoiseach said they were not ready to marry but wanted to have the options available to everyone.

Elsewhere, members of the Church of Ireland General Synod have said that: "We are being given an opportunity on May 22nd finally to show the gay community that we value them for who they are."

Archdeacon Gordon Linney said: " we welcome them as they are fully into society and so give them the recognition they are entitled to and that those who are in stable relationships and wish to marry should be allowed to do so". 

He added that "marriage is a civil contract. No church will be forced to solemnise any union it does not approve of"

The event was organised by the Changing Attitude Ireland, the Church of Ireland pro-LGBT group.

Ámarach/Claire Byrne Live opinion poll

Last night, a poll carried out by Ámarach consulting and RTÉ's Claire Byrne Live programme on same sex referendum suggests that 78% of people are to vote in favour of the proposed change.

The opinion poll carried out yesterday indicated that 16% were planning to vote no and 6% have said that they do not know how they will vote.

Among those surveyed between 18 and 24 years of age, the poll suggests that 94% will vote in favour of the referendum.

Women surveyed were indicated to be 79% in favour of the referendum passing.

The survey indicated that people over the age of 55 represent the smallest group of yes voters at 65%.

When people were asked if they had changed their mind in the last seven days, 9% said that they had, 86% have said that they have not changed their mind, while 5% did not know.

Amárach Associate Director Patrick Kennedy said these changes of mind were particularly interesting.

He said: "The number of people changing their mind is relatively small but looking at the data we can see that the number of people switching to yes or no is very closely matched."

Mr Kennedy said that: "This suggests that both the yes and no side have been equally successful in converting votes although the overall figures remain relatively stable."