The divorce referendum is set to be held in May of this year.

The referendum will address the current four year waiting period imposed on couples who wish to legally end their marriages under Irish law. The length of time, known as the "pause period," has been the subject of much debate over recent years. RTE reports that the referendum will consider the removal of the time restriction from Irish law, allowing the government to set the new terms for divorce. It was previously expected that the electorate would be asked whether to reduce the pause period to two years. The referendum is set to be held alongside the local and European elections this year. Labour Justice Spokesperson, Senator Ivana Bacik, has welcomed the government’s decision to hold a referendum on divorce. “I welcome the announcement today that in May of this year the people of Ireland will get the opportunity to vote to remove the minimum living apart period for spouses applying for a divorce. “I look forward to campaigning strongly for a yes vote in this referendum, and I hope that it will be passed, so that we can move towards introducing a more compassionate and reasonable law for those couples experiencing the real anguish and trauma of marital breakdown in Ireland.”