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Ireland could have a referendum on the blasphemy law that Stephen Fry is being investigated under

Published 22:36 7 May 2017 BST

Carl Kinsella
Ireland could have a referendum on the blasphemy law that Stephen Fry is being investigated under

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On Saturday, the news broke that British actor and comedian Stephen Fry was under investigation for his disparaging comments about God while speaking to Gay Byrne on RTÉ's The Meaning of Life.

While Gardaí have not commented on the investigation, the Department of Justice has confirmed that the law is very much under review and that preparatory steps have been taken as to having a referendum with regard to the law. According to the Irish Times, the Department of Justice has said that a referendum on amending Article 40.6.1(i) of Bunreacht na hÉireann is one of several that the government has instructed them to begin preparing for. A spokesperson for the Department told the Irish Times: "Preliminary consultations and preparatory work have been undertaken." Ireland is already expected to have at least one referendum in 2018, on the voting rights of emigrants. It is also widely speculated that a referendum on the Eight Amendment of the Constitution concern reproductive rights will be held soon.

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Ireland could have a referendum on the blasphemy law that Stephen Fry is being investigated under