According to a new poll, support for marriage equality in Northern Ireland has vastly increased since the Yes vote in the Republic of Ireland.

The latest poll, conducted by Ipsos MORI, found that 68% of adults in Northern Ireland believe marriage should be extended to same-sex couples – compared to the 62.1% ‘Yes’ vote win in the Republic of Ireland’s referendum.

The number is highest among the 16 to 34 age bracket, with 82% in support. The figure falls slightly to 75% support among 35 to 54 year-olds. However, only 47% of 55’s and over are in favour of marriage equality.

Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty’s Northern Ireland programme director, has said the new figures show that Northern Ireland’s politicians are “badly out of step with ordinary people” on the issue of same-sex marriage.

“The people have spoken and it’s clear they don’t want Northern Ireland to be left behind on marriage equality. Continuing resistance to bringing Northern Ireland in step with all our neighbours is unacceptable. It’s high time Northern Ireland said a big ‘we do too’ to equality,” he said.

“The Stormont Executive should bring forward marriage equality legislation without further delay.”

Currently, Northern Ireland is the only country in the British Isles that does not allow same-sex marriage.