No this isn't the start of a joke, although the punchline is that the traditionally conservative Catholic country of Ireland has become the first country in the world to approve gay marriage by popular vote.

Both sides of the Australian marriage equality debate are vowing to step up their efforts following the historic win for the "Yes" vote in Ireland's gay marriage referendum. An overwhelming 62 per cent voted to legalise same-sex marriage in that country.

Some Australian MPs are now calling for a referendum on gay marriage here; some would prefer a conscience vote of the Federal Parliament; but none can now afford to ignore it.

On Sunday, patrons and workers at Dicey Riley's Irish Hotel applauded the results of the referendum. Irishman Eoin Geoghegan said it was time for Australia to follow suit.

"Ireland is a devout Catholic country but this shows that it's starting to move with the times and I think it's something Australia now needs to vote on," he said. "As a straight man if I wanted to get married, I have that option. Everyone deserves that option."

Australian Toby Williams was also delighted with the results of the referendum.

"I'm gay and while I have never believed in marriage for myself, if two people love each other then they should be allowed to get married," he said.

"It's the politics, not the people, who are getting in the way of a similar result here." While it shouldn't be surprising that a land of rainbows and leprechauns should approve gay marriage, its history would show otherwise.

Dicey Riley's employee Julie O'Loughlin said many would be surprised that a country with such conservative values would be a trailblazer on this issue.

"It's such a Catholic country - abortion is not even legal even if you're a rape victim - so allowing Irish gay people to get married is a really big deal," she said.

"We've only recently started having gay pride marches in the main street of Dublin, and I think that's shown people that there is a big gay community.

"I've never been prouder of my own country for passing something that affects people's rights."

Marriage Equality Australia says this result will remove any doubt that marriage equality can be achieved in Australia.

Illawarra Mercury

Gay marriage in Australia is a matter for the Federal Parliament rather than a popular vote, Tony Abbott believes.

Nevertheless some MPs, including from the Prime Minister’s own backbench, are pushing for a referendum after Ireland voted overwhelmingly in favour of allowing same-sex marriage in a historic referendum on Saturday.

‘‘Referendums are held in this country where there’s a proposal to change the constitution,’’ Mr Abbott said in Brisbane on Sunday. ‘‘I don’t think anyone’s suggesting that the constitution needs to be changed in this respect.’’

Liberal backbencher Zed Seselja said he didn’t support gay marriage, but the question should be put to the people.

‘‘If you are going to make such a fundamental change, it should go to a referendum,’’ he told ABC television.

Independent senator for Tasmania Jacqui Lambie didn’t support gay marriage either but backed a referendum on it.

Her fellow crossbencher, Glenn Lazarus, also wanted the matter to go to the public and South Australian independent Nick Xenophon said he’d support a referendum if that was a ‘‘circuit breaker’’.

‘‘I think the best approach is that there be a conscience vote in the Parliament ... after all it has been an election issue,’’ Senator Xenophon told Sky News.

Should a bill to legalise same-sex marriage come before Parliament, the Coalition party room would decide whether government MPs could vote freely on the matter.

‘‘It’s up to members of Parliament who are eager for change to decide whether they want to bring it forward,’’ Mr Abbott said.

The Greens have legislation for the change already before Parliament. A separate bill from Liberal Democrat David Leyonhjelm was due to be debated in March but he decided not to go ahead without Coalition MPs having a conscience vote.

Under Liberal Party rules, backbenchers can vote freely but ministers must resign if they wish to cross the floor.

Labor’s policy is to allow conscience votes on the issue but deputy leader Tanya Plibersek wants the party’s national conference in July to bind MPs to vote in favour of gay marriage.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten voiced his support for Ireland’s move on Twitter on Saturday, and said it was time for Australia to embrace marriage equality.

Greens deputy leader Scott Ludlam hoped the Irish result would move the issue along in Australia.

‘‘There were reports last week that we may be four votes short in the House of Representatives and we might be able to carry a majority in the Senate.’’  

AAP