Labour Youth has organised a weekend of debate and discussion to mark the 90th anniversary of the death of Labour Party co-founder James Connolly.
The Connolly festival began last night and continues today in the Teachers' Club, Parnell Square, Dublin.
Last night's discussion was based on advancing the campaign for same-sex marriages.
"Same-sex couples contribute to Irish society through work, paying taxes, active citizenship, community building and contributing to the artistic and cultural development of Ireland just as much as any other couples. It is outrageous that the Government continues to discriminate against community," said Graham O'Maonaigh, chair of Labour Youth.
Marie Mulholland, who chaired the Irish Council for Civil Liberties' working group on civil partnerships, and Rachel Mathews McKay, of Labour's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) group, were the key speakers.