Accessible summary A national survey of over 1000 people took place in Ireland in 2001, 2006 and again in 2011. In 2011, half the people in the survey thought that people with intellectual disability or autism had the right to sexual relationships. In 2011, one‐third agreed that people with intellectual disability or autism should have children if they wished. People's attitudes towards people with intellectual disabilities were similar to their attitudes towards people with mental illness. More people in the survey agreed that people with physical or sensory disabilities had the right to have sexual relationships and have children compared with people with intellectual disability. People in the survey were more likely to agree with the right to sexual relationships for people with intellectual disabilities if they: ○ lived outside of Dublin; ○ were single; ○ had more people in their own social networks; ○ were comfortable living near people with intellectual disability. People need to know more about what people with intellectual disabilities hope for from relationships. People need to know more about the supports that are in place: ○ to help people with intellectual disabilities make choices about sexual relationships ○ to protect people with intellectual disabilities against abuse. Summary Limited progress has been made in supporting people with intellectual disabilities to form intimate relationships. A critical factor that has been rarely researched is the attitude of the general public which likely has a significant influence on public policy on this issue. Unique to Ireland, are the five‐yearly national surveys commissioned by the National Disability Authority that recruit representative samples of over 1000 adult persons. On three occasions in the past 10 years, respondents were asked to rate their agreement that people with various disabilities and with mental health difficulties had the right to fulfilment through sexual relationships and to have children if they wished. Secondary analysis of the 2011 data set identified those persons who were more likely to be in agreement and also the concerns raised by respondents. The findings are discussed in relation to priorities for future research and actions needed to reduce the stigma associated with disability or mental ill health.