UN committee calls on Ireland to hold abortion referendum

A UN committee has called on Ireland to hold a referendum on abortion.

The Economic and Social Council has said it is concerned at Ireland's "highly restrictive legislation" and how it is enforced.

It is calling on Ireland to take "all necessary steps", including a referendum, to allow wider access to terminations in line with international standards on human rights.

The finding comes after two days of hearings on Ireland's rights regime at the committee in Geneva earlier this month.