A new abortion law will be in place by the end of year, Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar has said.

It follows a landslide vote in favour of repealing the Republic of Ireland's constitutional ban on abortion.

The proposed legislation will allow abortions during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, and up to the 24th week in exceptional circumstances.

Irish Minister for Health Simon Harris will seek the cabinet's backing on Tuesday to draft the new legislation.

Mr Varadkar said Saturday would be remembered as the day Ireland "embraced our responsibilities as citizens and as a country".

"The day Ireland stepped out from under the last of our shadows and into the light," he added.

"The day we came of age as a country. The day we took our place among the nations of the world."

More than two thirds of voters backed the decision to change the law with every constituency in the Republic of Ireland, with the exception of Donegal.

The referendum delivered a conclusive consensus for reform among men and women, nearly all age groups and across most counties.

The final figures were 66.4% in favour of the change and 33.6% voting no.

Source: classfmonline.com