The date for the referendum on the eighth amendment has been announced.

Irish citizens will take to the polls on Friday, May 25 to decide whether to liberalise the restrictions on Ireland's abortion laws. The date will be formally announced this afternoon by Ministers Simon Harris and Eoghan Murphy. The Irish Constitution currently recognises the equal right to life of the unborn. Article 40.3.3 reads: "The State acknowledges the right to life of the unborn and, with due regard to the equal right to life of the mother, guarantees in its laws to respect, and, as far as practicable, by its laws to defend and vindicate that right." The Bill allowing the referendum to be held was passed by the Seanad today by 40 votes to 10. Speaking during the Seanad debate last night, Simon Harris said that he trusts women. He also said that senators were not debating about abortion, but about “whether you want to put in place a safe and legal provision or an unsafe or illegal basis." The Bill has already passed all stages in the Dáil.