“Being married seems to add an extra layer of commitment and stability to a relationship,” said Professor Patricia Casey.

“Ireland deserves better than that. I will not add any further credence to this deeply flawed process or to its inevitable and equally flawed conclusion that a referendum is required to repeal the 8th amendment without any meaningful Constitutional protection for the unborn child.”- Prof Casey

Two-thirds of upper professional workers are married but less than a third of unskilled workers are, showing the likelihood of being married declines as people move down the social classes.

70% of people believe a child has a right to be raised by their own mother and father new Amarach poll for Iona Institute shows.