(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many adults in Ireland would grant legal recognition to gay and lesbian partnerships, according to a poll by Red C for the Irish Examiner. 51 per cent of respondents support the introduction of civil partnerships for homosexuals similar to those already in place in Britain and Northern Ireland.

Last month, a report by the All-Party Committee on the Constitution—launched by Irish prime minister Bertie Ahern—recommended changing the law to ensure that same-sex couples are granted succession, maintenance and taxation rights through a system of civil partnerships. Ahern has ruled out holding a nationwide referendum to settle the issue.

Same-sex marriage is currently legal in the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and Canada, and at least 18 countries offer some sort of legal recognition to same sex unions. 50 per cent of respondents in Ireland support allowing homosexuals to adopt children.

In 1992, Ireland became one of the last Western European countries to legalize homosexuality.

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