A number of Fine Gael politicians are beginning to get cold feet as regards a commitment to holding a referendum on same-sex marriage in the wake of the abortion legislation.

While Labour have said they expect a referendum to be held on the issue after the Constitutional Convention recommended that a vote be held on the issue, some Fine Gael sources have suggested that the party may not take a position on the issue, the Irish Independent reports.

The Constitutional Convention, set up by the Government to examine a number of constitutional issues, backed same-sex marriage in April. It is set to report to Cabinet on the issue later this month.

The Government committed to decide within four months of each issue being discussed whether to hold a referendum or not when they set it up.

One senior minister said: “I think there’ll be a referendum next year based on the convention recommendation.”

However other party sources indicated they see the current position of civil partnerships as enough – even though Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore has said there will be a referendum next year.

And now some are raising the possibility of Fine Gael not taking a position at all and if they do taking it after debating it at parliamentary party level or a national conference.

Justice Minister Alan Shatter has already said that he favours a change in the law to allow for same-sex marriage.

However, Taoiseach Enda Kenny has refused to take a position on gay marriage, and some senior sources in the Coalition say that most people would be content with the rights available under civil partnerships.

One senior FG source referenced Mr Gilmore’s statement that gay marriage is the “civil rights issue of this generation”.

“I suppose it’s the ‘civil rights issue of our times’ but I think what most people want is the rights a civil partnership brings,” the source said.

Just last month, Mr Gilmore said he expected a referendum to take place next year, but this has yet to be decided by the Government.

A spokesman for Mr Gilmore said his position that there will be a referendum next year was expressed on behalf of Labour.

Labour sources said the first commitment will be to get an agreement on holding a referendum and added the junior coalition partner cannot dictate what position Fine Gael will take on the issue.