there must be a "backstop" solution to ensure that there is no hard border on the island of Ireland. A backstop agreement would fully align Northern Ireland with the rules of the EU in order to avoid a hard border. 20 March – Taoiseach Leo Varadkar discussed Brexit with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin during his first visit to the German capital as Taoiseach. 21 March Pope Francis confirmed that he will make the first papal trip to Ireland in nearly 40 years, visiting Dublin for two days in August. The second stage of the bill to allow for a referendum on the Eighth Amendment passed by a large majority in the Dáil by 110 votes to 32. 27 March The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney, informed the Russian Ambassador to Ireland that the "accreditation of a member of his staff with diplomatic status is to be terminated". The Minister for Health, Simon Harris, announced that the Cabinet approved the "general scheme" of the legislation on abortion that would be brought forward if the referendum on the Eighth Amendment was passed. 28 March Ulster and Ireland rugby player Paddy Jackson was acquitted of rape and sexual assault, while his teammate Stuart Olding was acquitted of rape. The government announced that the referendum on repealing the Eighth Amendment will take place on 25 May. New figures revealed that there were 1,739 homeless families recorded in February. 29 March – The Save the 8th campaign was launched in Dublin. The group is campaigning for a "No" vote in May's referendum on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution. 30 March Pubs opened on Good Friday for the first time in 91 years. The Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed that an Irish diplomat has been instructed to leave Russia. April 1 April The 1916 Easter Rising was commemorated around the country, while a military ceremony took place in O'Connell Street in Dublin. Sinn Féin deputy leader Michelle O'Neill called for an Irish unity referendum within five years. 3 April – Heavy overnight rain forced an early end to the Easter festival at Fairyhouse Racecourse due to a waterlogged track. 4 April – President Higgins signed a warrant granting a posthumous pardon to Myles Joyce who was wrongfully convicted and hanged over the murder of five people in 1882. 6 April – Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) lightweight champion Conor McGregor was charged with