TDs will tomorrow be asked to set up a committee to investigate whether Ireland should have a referendum on abortion.

The committee of 16 will examine the findings of the Citizens Assembly which is due to report on the issue before the end of June.

However it's also emerged that the Dáil committee will have the rights to hold its own hearings on the subject before making a final recommendation.

A motion going before TDs tomorrow says the new committee will have the same powers as any other Oireachtas committee - which includes the right to invite witnesses to discuss their stated subjects.

TDs will then pass their verdict before the end of this year, with any referendum then taking place in 2018.

Our political correspondent Gavan Reilly reports: