Marie Stropes, a UK-based clinic that provides contraception and safe abortion services has dismissed rumours that the organisation is to set up a branch in Dublin.

Pro-life campaigners Save the 8^th claimed that the provider, which has a helpline for women in the Republic of Ireland, was seeking site locations for an Irish clinic.

As it stands, Marie Stropes has no plans to set up on Irish shores, though they did say they are following the repeal movement and are watching the upcoming referendum with interest.

Speaking to Newstalk, a spokesperson said: "We don't think it's right that women have to cross a sea to receive safe, legal abortion care, and we hope the upcoming referendum will be the first step in addressing this.

"Women deserve better than the law as it stands."

Figures released during a recent government debate showed that 3,000 Irish women travelled to the UK to access abortion services in 2016 – leaving Health Minister Simon Harris to ask what those women would have done if it wasn't for our neighbouring island.

“I can’t help but wonder what we would have done if we didn’t have a neighbouring island to help us turn a blind eye. And sometimes turning a blind eye is the same as turning your back.”

The Government have agreed to draft a Bill that would allow a referendum on the Eighth Amendment to take place, though the wording of the bill has not yet been finalised.

A referendum on the Eighth Amendment of the Irish Constitution will be held in late May or early June.