Republic of Ireland overwhelmingly in favour of extending marriage rights to same-sex couples. On 23 May 2015, Ireland became the first country to legalise same-sex marriage by popular vote. Ireland became the first country in the world to introduce an environmental levy for plastic shopping bags in 2002 and a public smoking ban in 2004. Recycling in Ireland is carried out extensively, and Ireland has the second highest rate of packaging recycling in the European Union. It was the first country in Europe to ban incandescent lightbulbs in 2008 and the first EU country to ban in-store tobacco advertising and product display in
Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest 1975 Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest 1975 Ireland was represented by The Swarbriggs, with the song '"That's What Friends Are For", at the 1975 Eurovision Song Contest, which took place on 22 March in Stockholm. "That's What Friends Are For" was chosen as the Irish entry at the national final on 9 February. The final was held at the studios of broadcaster RTÉ in Dublin, hosted by Mike Murphy. For a second year, RTÉ pre-selected their representatives and The Swarbriggs performed eight songs which were voted on by ten regional juries. On the night of the final The Swarbriggs performed