Catholic rules on issues like contraception and same-sex relationships are 'disconnected from real life experience of families'. That is according to the Archbishop of Dublin who has revealed some of the findings of a survey amongst people in his diocese.

Catholics around the country were surveyed ahead of a bishops' discussion on the family in Rome next October.

Diarmuid Martin is the only Irish bishop to publicise the findings of the research so far.

It comes after an opinion poll here earlier this month which showed that 76% of adults would support same-sex marriage rights in a referendum.

Meanwhile the Cabinet says it will hold a referendum on the issue in 2015.

Fr. Tony Flannery from the Association of Catholic Priests has welcomed the move. He told Newstalk Breakfast earlier that it is now over to Pope Francis.