Nearly 2 million people are expected to take to the polls and vote in today's historic abortion referendum.

The Irish public will be asked to vote on repealing or maintaining the Eighth Amendment of the constitution.

Polling stations opened nationwide at 7am this morning Friday May 25, and will stay open until 10pm tonight.

If the public votes Yes, the Irish Government intends to legislate by the end of the year to make it relatively easy for a woman to obtain the procedure in early pregnancy.

(Image: Collins)

Ministers have promised to allow terminations within the first 12 weeks, subject to medical advice and a cooling-off period, and between 12 and 24 weeks in exceptional circumstances.

The debate during eight weeks of campaigning has been divisive, with the leaders of all the main political parties, including Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, backing change.

They argued that a Yes vote represented the compassionate choice for thousands of Irish women forced to travel to England for the procedure.

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Opposing them was a vocal No camp, including the bishops, which insisted the life of the child is sacrosanct and interference in that right is immoral.

Campaigners against change have used emotive language to highlight the threat to the foetus and warned against "extreme" proposals from the Government which could be expanded in future years.

Stay up to date with the latest referendum news right here on the Irish Daily Mirror live blog