Updated 09.00

The Public Expenditure and Reform Minister says the majority of the Cabinet believes there should be a referendum on gay marriage.

The Justice Minister Alan Shatter is presenting a report to his Cabinet colleagues at their weekly meeting in government Buildings this morning.

The government is expected to agree today to hold a referendum, following a recommendation from the Constitutional Convention.

Minister Brendan Howlin says people should be given the opportunity - 'when its practicable'- to express their views on same-sex marriage:

Elsewhere, a Fine Gael TD says he's concerned about the effect a referendum on same-sex marriage would have on his party.

Pat Deering says he doesn't agree that a referendum should be held as the government will be hard pushed to persuade people to come out to vote.

And Deputy Deering told Newstalk's Breakfast Fine Gael suffered enough over the abortion debate:

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has also committed to outlining his personal position and that of the Fine Gael party on the issue, today.

The Constitutional convention voted earlier this year to recommend a referendum be held to allow for same sex marriage.

The coalition promised to respond to the report of the group within four months - a deadline that's now been reached.

Today Ministers are expected to agree to the holding of a referendum within the lifetime of the government.

But there's unlikely to be agreement for now on when the poll should be held - some ministers believe there's referendum fatigue, others want it next May with the local and European elections, while many believe that sometime in 2015 would be best.