THREE student reps sent a clear message to Leo Varadkar during his visit to Queen's University Belfast yesterday by wearing 'Repeal' jumpers in support of abortion reform.
Queen's students' union officers Jessica Elder, Lucy Gault and Rachel Powell all donned the distinctive black sweatshirts while sitting close behind the taoiseach.
Images of the young women sitting just feet from the Fine Gael leader were widely circulated online with abortion activists praising the move.
The Repeal campaign calls for abortion reform in the south by repealing of the constitution's eighth amendment.
During a question-and-answer segment at the event, Ms Powell also asked Mr Varadkar about the timing of a referendum on the issue.
She made the point that many students may have left Ireland for the summer and be unable to vote if the referendum happens next June.
Mr Varadkar replied that the government was planning for a May or June referendum, but that details are still to be arranged.
"I take the point and get the message that young people would like the referendum at a time when they are all in the country, so we will take that into account," he said.
Ms Powell, from Keady in south Armagh, told The Irish News said they borrowed the jumpers from friends to make a "firm but clear message".
"We are a pro-choice union and we have a pro-choice mandate," the 24-year-old said.
"I think it's time Ireland north and south of the border gave women full bodily autonomy. I think it's time to change and we want this to happen."
The eighth amendment enshrines in southern law the equal right to life for the unborn and the mother.
Abortion is only legal in the south if the mother's life it at risk. In Northern Ireland abortion is only permitted if her life is at risk or there is a permanent or serious risk to her mental or physical health.
