Updated | Yes vote to enjoy near clean sweep in Irish same-sex marriage referendum

Ireland is on course to approve the amendment on same-sex marriage as early tallies show a strong Yes vote around the country, The Irish Times reports

Senior politicians have welcomed the vote with Minister for Health Leo Varadkar saying the overwhelming Yes vote makes Ireland a “beacon of light” for the rest of the world in terms of liberty and equality.

“It’s a historical day for Ireland,” he told RTÉ, adding that if any constituencies voted No, it would only be a handful.

Well done #Ireland all the way from #Malta! Congrats @EndaKennyTD @joanburton -JM #MarRef @IrishEmbMalta

— Joseph Muscat (@JosephMuscat_JM) May 23, 2015

Prominent No campaigner and director of the Iona Institute David Quinn seemed to concede the vote tweeting “Congratulations to the Yes site. Well done.”

A Yes vote would see Ireland as the first country to approve same-sex marriage by popular vote.

Last year the Maltese parliament approved a civil unions law for same sex couples which was equal to marriage in all but name.