A referendum on the place of women in the home will not now take place next month.
There had been speculation it would be held on October 26th - the same date as the presidential election, and potentially a vote on the removal of Ireland's blasphemy laws.
However, the Oireachtas Justice and Equality Committee has now agreed to engage in more detailed discussions on the proposal.
This will get underway on September 19th with the referendum possibly being held alongside the Local and European elections next May.
The delay comes amid concerns from organisations such as the National Women's Council of Ireland.
While the group said the current article is "undoubtedly sexist", they added that simply deleting it could be a missed opportunity to "express the positive contribution of equality in the home, care and work of all kinds".
Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan said he was disappointed with the delay.
He argued: “The Constitution doesn’t seek to define the place of men. I believe it should not seek to define the place of women.
"To me, this is a straightforward proposition and after many decades of inaction, the time has come for the people to exercise a view on the retention or removal of the Article."
