Ireland abortion referendum: When is it, what question will be asked and will it be a binding vote?

Voters will be given chance to repeal eighth amendment to the country's constitution

Ireland will hold a referendum on its restrictive abortion laws at the end of May (Getty)

The Irish government is set to hold a national referendum on reforming the country’s strict anti-abortion laws.

Voters will be given the chance to repeal the eighth amendment to the country’s constitution, which acknowledges the equal rights of the life of the unborn foetus and the mother during pregnancy.

Currently, terminations are only allowed in the Republic of Ireland when the life of the mother is at risk. Women who have an abortion illegally face a prison sentence of up to 14 years.

The news came following a survey carried out by the Irish Times last week, which found a clear majority of all voters - 56 per cent - would vote in favour of constitutional change, with 29 per cent saying they were not in favour and 15 per cent saying they did not know.

When is the Irish abortion referendum?

The government has announced it will hold a referendum at the end of May, but the exact date for the vote will be decided after it is debated in parliament.

Ireland’s Union of Students called for the referendum to take place ahead before students and young people start sitting exams and leaving for the summer holidays, which would lead to a drop in the youth vote.

The union said in a statement: “Millions of our young people have not had the opportunity to vote on this issue, and arguably it affects our future generations more than any others.”

What exact question will the Irish abortion referendum ask?

The ballot will focus on whether or retain or repeal the eighth amendment, which was approved in 1983, and acknowledges the “right to life of the unborn”.

The exact wording of the referendum has not yet been decided, but is expected to be announced towards the end of March.

Will it be a binding vote?

If the amendment in the constitution is repealed, any draft legislation would only become law if the Dail voted for it, and that is not a foregone conclusion given the Fine Gael coalition is a minority administration and TDs will vote on conscience.

If passed, women would have access to abortion without restriction up to the 12th week of pregnancy, the health minister Simon Harris has said.

Abortions past 12 weeks would only be allowed in “exceptional circumstance” where the woman’s health or life was seriously at risk.

How have the Catholic Church reacted to the abortion referendum announcement?

The Catholic Church is opposed to abortion in all circumstances.

The Irish Times reported Catholic Primate Archbishop Eamon Martin as saying: “Regarding medical intervention, Catholic teaching is clear: where a seriously-ill pregnant woman requires medical treatment which may put the life of her baby at risk, such treatments are ethically permissible provided every effort is made to save both the mother and her baby.

“Such an intervention would be different from an abortion, which is the direct and intentional taking of the innocent life of the unborn.”

For which side of the abortion debate will Leo Varadkar's government campaign?

Over the weekend, Mr Varadkar said he would campaign for the strict rules on abortion to be loosened, marking a change in attitudes previously, as he said he would not support legalising abortion in 2010.

After a Cabinet meeting on Monday, he said:”We know that thousands of Irish women - women from every single county in Ireland - go abroad for abortions every year.

“We know that many women are obtaining abortion pills through the post to end their pregnancies, without any medical support, or counselling, or supervision.

“So, we already have abortion in Ireland but it is unsafe, unregulated and unlawful.

“For my part, I will advocate for a Yes vote. My own views have evolved over time. Life experience does that.”

Deputy prime minister Simon Coveney said the government was united on the issue, despite “differing viewpoints on the content of that legislation, particularly on 12 weeks’ access unrestricted”.

In a statement, he said: “The status quo of how women are treated in crisis pregnancy cannot remain. I am united with my Cabinet colleagues in agreeing to repeal the eighth amendment and allow enabling legislation.”