Enda Kenny says passing a referendum to extend marriage rights would be a strong signal that Ireland was a compassionate nation.
He was speaking at the end of Fine Gael's two-day conference in Castlebar last night.
He told a live TV audience that the issue facing voters was clear.
He paraphrased Michael Collins statement during the Treaty negotiations.
Kenny said: “Give us the future we've had enough of the past. Give us back our country, to live in, to grow in and to love.”
