Legislation to regulate the area of surrogacy will not be dealt with by the next general election, the Taoiseach has said.

Enda Kenny said the issue of surrogacy  had nothing to do with the same-sex marriage referendum.

He said laws would not be in place by the end of the Government’s current term. Mr Kenny said: “This is a very complicated area.

“There are a great deal of complex issues here. There will be a national discussion. There will not be legislating be for the next general elections.”

Mr Kenny made a plea for people to come out and vote on Friday.

He said a burden would be lifted off the shoulders of thousands of gay and lesbian couples if this passed.

Mr Kenny said he had no interest in becoming a gay icon but in equality for all citizens.

Director of elections Simon Coveney said this referendum had changed politics.

He said he had never seen so many people canvassing and seeking support. Mr Coveney said this was an opportunity for the majority to send a message to the minority of society