A Timeline Has Finally Been Announced For This Year’s Abortion Referendum

A referendum on abortion will take place before the end of May this year, it has been announced.

The wording will seek to replace the Eighth Amendment with a new constitutional provision that allows the government to legislate for abortion.

If the vote passes, the Oireachtas would then introduce laws allowing for abortion on request up to 12 weeks.

After 12 weeks, abortion would only be allowed in "exceptional circumstances" including fatal foetal abnormalities or a serious risk to the health of the woman.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said he will support a Yes vote, stating Ireland "already has abortion, but it is unsafe, unregulated and unlawful".

"In my opinion we cannot continue to export our problems and import our solutions," he added.

A referendum bill will be drafted over the coming weeks.