It is the duty of the Referendum Returning Officer to conduct referendums, and to establish and declare the result of referendums. This is in accordance with the Referendum Act 1994. The Referendum Returning Officer is appointed by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
Any amendment to the Constitution of Ireland must first progress as a Bill (that is, a piece of legislation) through the Houses of the Oireachtas. The date for the next referendums will be 8 March, as stated in the Polling Day Order, issued by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.