Skip to content

Why Ireland is having a referendum on abortion

Abortion is currently only legal in the Republic of Ireland when a woman's life is at risk.

The country will hold a referendum on the issue in May - which will decide whether a constitutional amendment which effectively bans terminations should be repealed.

Here's what you need to know.

31 January 2018

Explore More

BBC News

Sexual assault survivor wants to be voice for others

Northern Ireland

A man holds a Hezbollah flag while standing in a car, at the entrance of Beirut's southern suburbs

BBC on the ground as people return to southern Lebanon

A black and white image of a former mining community

A look back at Wales’ coal legacy after landslip

A production line with bits of cannabis, which looks similar to frozen broccoli

Inside Sunderland's medical cannabis boom

Eilín Casey

'Cross-border funding is vital for our communities'

Tony Snell sits inside Goodison stadium

'I'll miss my Goodison Park rituals when it's gone'

James Sutliff, his partner and his son

'My disability left me scared to have kids'

The floating sauna that has opened at Liverpool's Princes Dock

Floating sauna opens in city dock

Split screen of man in Tel Aviv and woman in Beirut

Watch: People in Israel and Lebanon react to ceasefire deal

Travellers are lined up at an aiport

US travellers pack airports ahead of Thanksgiving holiday

Floodwater overwhelming a weir in Chippenham.

Town experiences 'worst flooding since the 1960s'

Biden is talking to the press.

Biden confirms 'good news' of Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire deal

Israeli soldiers stand on a tank by Israel’s border with Lebanon in northern Israel, 26 November 2024

Watch: Netanyahu explains why Israel agreed ceasefire deal

Two young women, both in white/grey coats and black tops. One with short brown hair pulled back with a centre parting, the other with long black hair in a loose bun

Should e-scooters come to Welsh cities?

Two cars and a van close to a large pool of brown water covering a roadway next to a steep stone wall

Watch burst drain during Storm Bert tear road open

Firefighter and man stand amidst the rubble in Burj Al-Barajneh, Beirut

Aftermath of Israeli strikes on Beirut neighbourhoods

Kelpie

Climbing inside a Kelpie's head

Tayside & Central Scotland

Teenager taking a selfie while driving a car

Teen drives with knees before crashing into woman

BBC Newsline

BBC Newsline signed summary

A graphic showing a 'job centre plus' sign overlaid on an image of people in office wear

How big is the problem of people not working?

Alexia Putellas, a Spanish footballer wearing a red jersey, holding a golden trophy

Spain's Putellas on the magic of the Olympics

After World Cup glory, Spain's Alexia Putellas is hoping to dominate the Olympics too.

Olivia Dean surprised with BBC Introducing Award

The singer was handed the Artist of the Year prize straight after her Radio 1 Live Lounge show.

Aitch mid-skydive

Rapper Aitch makes skydive from 15,000ft

The rapper made the jump in honour of his little sister Gracie, 13, who has Down's syndrome.

Teddy

'How testosterone is changing my singing voice'

Trans man Teddy is a musical theatre performer recording differences in his voice as he transitions.

Claudia

Helping others with autism after my late diagnosis

Claudia, who was 19 when diagnosed with autism, works with neurodivergent pupils on their schooling.

Reece Parkinson

1Xtra DJ gets special leaving surprise

Newsbeat gives Reece Parkinson the best goodbye gift a massive Fulham FC fan could wish for.

Keyframe #6

Singer's drunken video message to Lewis Capaldi

Rachel Chinouriri has shared a drunken DM she sent Lewis Capaldi before she was invited on his tour.

Kaitlyn

'I thought I'd be at university, not homeless'

Kaitlyn was kicked out of her home last year and feels there needs to be more support for under 25s.

Big Zuu

Big Zuu's budget cooking secrets

The TV chef and rapper shares his big three tips for making the most of your weekly food shop.

Levi Davis

Missing rugby player's last message to mum

Levi Davis' mum has shared the last video the missing rugby player sent her as he travelled to Spain.

Joe Powell-Main

'Redefine ballet to include everyone’

Joe Powell-Main has been championing a new form of ballet for differently abled dancers like himself.

Abbi Pulling

'Lewis Hamilton loves watching our races'

Abbi Pulling is being helped on her way to achieving her racing dreams by the Alpine F1 team.

Ava White

'I feel like I'm living my life for Ava now'

Mia White has described the moment she found out her 12-year-old sister Ava had been fatally stabbed.

Anna and Vilena

Ukrainian medical trainees continue studies in UK

A partnership between Cambridge and Kharkiv universities means students can keep learning key skills.

Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds

'I want Wrexham to be the first club in space'

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney star in a documentary about their first season as football club owners

Tays

'Radio 1Xtra inspires young artists like me'

Young Manchester rapper Tays speaks to Newsbeat about the 20th anniversary of BBC Radio 1Xtra.

Jags and D-Lish

'I was stopped from going in - but I was the DJ'

DJ D-LISH talks about the prejudice she's experienced as a female DJ in a male-dominated field.

Laura Nuttall and mum Nicola at Wembley

Bucket list grad ticks off magical night at Wembley

Laura Nuttall, 22, who has terminal brain cancer, saw the Lionesses win the Euro 2022 final.

Debra

'Some girls can't identify with the Lionesses'

Euro 2022 has made the Lionesses household names - but some young want more diversity in the squad.

Leah Williamson and Laura

'You've inspired us' - Lionesses surprise fan

Laura Nuttall, who has terminal brain cancer, got a message from England captain Leah Williamson.