The earliest date for a referendum on abortion is the end of 2017, according to the Children’s Minister Katherine Zappone.

Ms Zappone added that it’s an optimistic view and it could take longer.

Her assessment follows comments from Taoiseach Enda Kenny, who said a United Nations report on abortion laws is not binding.

Last week, the United Nations Human Rights Committee called for our constitutional ban on abortion to be scrapped, as it subjects women to suffering and discrimination.

Mr Kenny said they will start setting up a citizens assembly next week to look at the eighth amendment, which ensures the protection of the unborn.

He said the assembly will consider what changes, if any, should be made to the eighth amendment and how they might be made.

Minister Zappone said realistically we are still a while out from any referendum.

She said: “Perhaps the most optimistic prediction could be by the end of 2017.

“I think if we are realistic, and I think that would be a good target date, it’s really absolutely critical that the people have an opportunity to discuss and to debate these issues.”

The Minister said the citizens assembly is not the slowest way to go about this.

“Ultimately, I think we all have our eye on the end goal, which is that we will have a referendum”, she told Newstalk Breakfast.

“I am trying to champion this, I asked for this to be discussed at the Cabinet table on Tuesday – we did discuss it.”