May 25 announced as date for referendum on Eighth Amendment

Culture
28 Mar 18

The referendum on the Eighth Amendment will be held on Friday May 25. Polls will be open from 7am until 10pm. Legislation allowing for the referendum was passed in the Seanad by a majority of 40 to 10.

Health Minister Simon Harris and Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy held a joint press conference to formally announce the date.

Eighth Amendment: @MurphyEoghan confirms referendum will take place on 25 May pic.twitter.com/X9iNsyBcVg

— RTÉ News (@rtenews) 28 March 2018

An historic day - the Referendum Bill has just passed all stages in the Oireachtas & there will finally be a Referendum on the 8th Amendment.

Irish citizens living abroad who wish to vote - book your flights - we have a date - Friday the 25th May 2018!#8thref #togetherforyes pic.twitter.com/POII5DLhKK

— Sen Catherine Noone (@senatornoone) 28 March 2018

Voters will be asked whether to repeal the Eighth Amendment, which recognises the right to life of the unborn equally to the life of the woman. If the referendum is passed, the Oireachtas has a mandate to legislate on abortion.

The draft legislation brought before the Dáil yesterday allows for abortion without restriction until the 12th week of pregnancy, with a necessary waiting period of 72 hours between a woman seeking an abortion and the procedure being carried out.

More to follow.