Amnesty International Ireland has said the majority of Irish people are in favour of less restrictive legislation on abortion.

Amnesty is stepping up the pressure on the coalition to repeal the eighth amendment after a demonstration in Dublin on Thursday.

Delegates from around the world gathered outside government buildings carrying more than 80 suitcases, which represented the number of women that travel abroad for an abortion every week.

Head of Amnesty Ireland Colm O'Gorman said that recent research carried out for Amnesty by Red C showed Ireland was ready for a change.

"Based on the opinion polling, 81% of people in Ireland believe Ireland should have, at a minimum, a human-rights compliant framework for abortion," he said.

"That would mean there should be access to abortion in cases where there is a risk to the life or health of a woman, in cases where pregnancy results from rape or incest, and in cases of fatal foetal abnormality.

"Only 7% of people believe that abortion should be totally banned in Ireland."