A campaign calling for a repeal of the 8th amendment is continuing outside Government Buildings in Dublin.

As part of the protest, 12 activists stand outside the Dáil to represent the 12 women and girls Amnesty Ireland says will travel to the UK to access an abortion.

The human rights group claims current Irish laws on abortion "violate the human rights of women and girls".

"Each day for the next two weeks a further twelve people will join the vigil, its numbers will grow to remind political leaders of the numbers of women and girls who are forced into temporary exile from Ireland to access their human rights day after day, week after week", Amnesty adds.

The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) has also joined the protest.

A recent Amnesty International/Red C poll found 73% want a referendum to be held in the first instance, and that 80% of people would vote yes if a referendum were held.

While 69% think it should be a priority for the next government, and 87% of the public want access to abortion expanded.

Colm O'Gorman, executive director of Amnesty International Ireland, explains the plan behind the protest.