A Socialist Party TD has described the Citizen's Assembly on the 8th amendment as a 'charade'.
It comes after yesterday's March for Choice in Dublin, which saw tens of thousands of people call for free, safe and legal abortion in Ireland.
Pro-choice demonstrations were also held in a number of cities internationally - including London, Paris, Berlin, New York and Melbourne.
You can't see it here, but very pleasantly surprised by how many men showed up to the London #marchforchoice #repealthe8th pic.twitter.com/LiVGAqaKTS
— Maev Mac Coille (@maevmac) September 24, 2016
Support for #repealthe8th from our amazing feminist friends in China just keeps on coming! pic.twitter.com/m1mqmVuhxW
— Tricia Kehoe (@triciamkehoe) September 25, 2016
#repealthe8th descends on #Wellington for #Irish #Abortion Rights pic.twitter.com/mz3wwqZx9Z
— Brian McDonald (@Xaphriel) September 24, 2016
Merrion Square right now #March4Choice #repealthe8th pic.twitter.com/7Ai1tQOM5i
— Darragh Doyle (@darraghdoyle) September 24, 2016
Last week, the Taoiseach indicated that the issue of the 8th amendment will be discussed by the Citizens' Assembly, which meets for the first time on October 15th.
Socialist Party TD Ruth Coppinger has criticised the assembly as a "charade" aimed at kicking the issue of an abortion referendum further down the road.
Speaking at yesterday's March for Choice in Dublin, Deputy Coppinger said the government can no longer ignore the growing pro-choice movement.
She says women cannot wait any longer.
"What we're seeing here is that we have the beginnings of a very important social movement, mainly led by young people.
"You can see there's a generational issue whereby Leinster House is holding back progress on a really important issue for women and for young people - and they can't do that for much longer.
"And in relation to our bill on the 18th of October, we will be asking people to now put huge pressure on their TDs to support this bill.
"Let's end the hypocrisy - women can't wait any longer."
While Children's Minister Katherine Zappone says she wants to see a referendum on a repeal of the 8th amendment happen 'as swiftly as possible'.
"It is happening now. I think it's really important, too.
"My own hope hope and commitment is that we will move as swiftly as possible in order to get people to vote, in order to we will lay the groundwork for a successful win."