Decision due 'shortly' on whether to hold gender equality referendum in November

Speaking in Co. Louth Simon Harris said he is unsure of where the Government’s thinking is at the moment until the Dáil resumes in mid-September.

Higher Education Minister Simon Harris has said the Government will make a decision shortly on whether to hold the proposed gender equality referendum in November.

It comes as the Irish Examiner reported last week that doubt has been cast over whether the referendum will go ahead as planned. Officials who have been working on the wording of the amendments to the Constitution have privately said it would be “difficult” to see the referendum going ahead.