The Prime Minister of Italy Matteo Renzi, has said his country can’t delay civil unions “any longer”, following the legalisation of same-sex marriage in Ireland.

The Republic of Ireland at the weekend voted overwhelmingly to approve the right of same-sex couples to wed.

Responding to the measure, according to La Repubblica newspaper, Prime Minister Renzi privately said: “Civil unions cannot be delayed any longer.”

Other senior figures also commented on the result, as Robert Speranza, the leader of Mr Renzi’s Democratic Party said: “Now it is Italy’s turn.”

“The moment has arrived, finally, to approve this before the summer’s end,” added Democratic Senator Andrea Marcucci.

“Ireland is giving us a lesson in civility,” said gay Italian politician Nichi Vendola, president of the Apulia region since 2005.