2018 Republic Of Ireland's Referendum On Abortion Friday May 25,2018

Republic Of Ireland will hold a referendum on May 25 on whether or not to liberalize its abortion law, the first opportunity in 35 years to overhaul one of the world’s strictest regimes that has long divided the once deeply Catholic nation.

A complete ban on abortion was only lifted five years ago for cases where the mother’s life was in danger. That move fueled calls to give voters under the age of 50 their first say on more comprehensive reform.

Voters will be asked if they wish to repeal an amendment to the constitution that was inserted following a 1983 referendum to enshrine the equal right to life of the mother and her unborn child, and to instead enable parliament to set the laws.


It followed the passing of the bill to hold the referendum in the Seanad (Irish Senate).



Forty senators voted in favour of the bill with ten voting against.

Abortion in the Republic of Ireland

The Republic of Ireland currently has a near total ban on abortion.

Terminations are not permitted in cases of rape or incest, or when there is a foetal abnormality and thousands of women travel abroad for a termination every year.

The eighth amendment to the Republic's constitution, introduced in 1983, "acknowledges the right to life of the unborn".