After the election on 26 February 2016 , protracted negotiations led to a Fine Gael – independent government on 7 May with confidence and supply support from Fianna Fáil . The government programme published on 11 May includes a commitment to holding a referendum on blasphemy . After the May 2017 story about Stephen Fry , a Department of Justice spokesperson said that it had undertaken " preliminary consultations and preparatory work " on the amendment , with future scheduling to be decided by the government . Simon Harris , the Minister for Health , said the existing law was " silly , a little embarrassing and needs to be changed " . In the Dáil Gerry Adams asked Enda Kenny whether a referendum would be held in 2017 ; Kenny replied " There are quite a number of referenda backed up , and they take time " . In September 2017 , new Taoiseach Leo Varadkar gave an " indicative timeline " for planned referendums , with that on blasphemy in October 2018 , simultaneous with the presidential election . In June 2018 , the Government approved the holding of the referendum . The Thirty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution ( Repeal of offence of publication or utterance of blasphemous matter ) Bill was formally introduced to the Dáil on 13 July . On 28 August the date of the Presidential election and hence the referendum was fixed for 26 October . The amendment bill passed all stages in the Dáil on 18 September and the Seanad ( upper house ) on 20 September . The referendum was approved by 64.85 % of voters on a turnout of 43.79 % . The amendment was signed into law on 27 November 2018 by the re-elected president , Michael D. Higgins
protracted negotiations
2016 Irish government formation
Blasphemy law in the Republic of Ireland