A referendum on the Eighth Amendment is to be held on Friday, May 25, the Government has confirmed.

The announcement was made by the Minister for Housing and Local Government, Eoghan Murphy, after the Bill to hold a referendum passed all stages of the Seanad.

Forty Senators voted in favour of the Bill, while 10 voted against it.

The referendum is seeking to repeal and replace the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution, which acknowledges the right to life of the unborn, equating it with the right to life of its mother.

It also proposes to make abortions lawful in cases where an appropriate medical practitioner has certified that the pregnancy has not exceeded 12 weeks.

Polling will take place from 7am to 10 pm on May 25. The postal vote will close on April 28. People are being urged to check that they are on the voting register. This can be done at checktheregister.ie