The procedure for a referendum is that a Bill to allow the referendum is put through the Dáil and Seanad in the normal way. In this case the Bill is the Thirty-First Amendment of the Constitution (Children) Bill 2012. The formalities relating to the passing of a Referendum Bill in the Dáil are conducted in Irish as well as English. If there is a conflict between the English and Irish language versions of the Constitution, the Irish text prevails (Article 25.5.4° of the Constitution). The referendum is held after the Bill is passed.

The votes in the referendum are counted in each constituency and the results are reported to the referendum returning officer. The returning officer then issues a provisional referendum certificate which states the result of the voting in all constituencies. This is formally published in Iris Oifigiúil (this is the gazette in which official government information is published. It is usually published twice a week – on Tuesdays and Fridays – and is available on line at www.irisoifigiuil.ie). In the seven days following the formal publication anyone whose name is on the electoral register may apply to the High Court for leave to present a petition questioning the provisional certificate. If this does not happen, the certificate becomes final. If it shows that the majority of votes cast were in favour of the proposal, the Bill is signed by the President and the Constitution is amended accordingly. Usually, the new text of the Constitution comes into effect as soon as the President signs the Bill – that will happen in this case. If the majority of the electorate votes against the proposal, the Bill is not signed and the Constitution is not changed.