A new lobby group today called on gays and lesbians to tell their local TDs and senators why marriage is so important to them.
Marriagequality's You Are Not Out 'Til You Are Out to Your TDcampaign is based on examples from Spain and the United States where gay and lesbian couples applied pressure to their legislators to change marriage laws.
"We are simply looking for the same rights as everyone else, we are looking for what is fair," said Marriagequality's co-chairwoman Gráinne Healy.
The group called on politicians to amend the Civil Registration Act 2004 and extend the right of civil marriage to gay and lesbian couples.
Ms Healy said that the change to the Act could be made at 24 hours notice, with political will and cross-party agreement.
"Throughout this debate the Constitution has been presented as an unmovable obstacle to civil marriage for gay and lesbian couples, but we don't know whether this is true," she said.
"Instead of presenting a constitutional referendum as a fait accompli, politicians should find out first by amending the 2004 Act and then see what happens. "This would be progressive and brave legislating on behalf of all citizens," Ms Healy added.