A referendum to extend voting rights in Presidential elections to Irish citizens living abroad has been delayed by Government.

It was due to happen in May, alongside a referendum to lower the waiting time before a couple can get divorced.

However, the Cabinet has now decided to delay the Presidential vote.

People will now be asked to vote in October on whether Irish people living in other countries should be allowed to vote for the President.

The Taoiseach said the possibility of the vote being contentious and the uncertainty of Brexit was part of the decision.

Leo Varadkar told the Dáil: "It will involve a good deal of planning, it needs a good campaign and we want to win it."

He suggested the later date will allow them to 'prepare the ground and inform people', and ultimately give a better chance of the vote passing.

He also noted that the next presidential election isn't scheduled until 2025, so there's a "good deal of time" to hold the referendum.

The divorce referendum is set to go ahead in May on the same day as the local and European elections.

Additional reporting by Sean Defoe