The Cabinet will today agree the draft heads of legislation around the holding of a referendum to ask people if they want to retain or repeal the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution.
Minister for Health Simon Harris will bring the proposal to Government this morning.
The draft legislation sets in train the process of holding a vote this summer.
The full and final text of the Referendum Bill will be finalised and published on the 6th of March.
A policy document will also be unveiled by Government on the same day.
It will set out in general terms the legislation that would go before the Oireachtas, should people vote to repeal the Eighth Amendment.
That document will contain the proposal to allow unrestricted abortion during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.