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Couples are currently required under constitutional law to live separately for four out of the five previous years before they can be granted a divorce.
"Some marriages do break down irreconcilably, causing immense sadness and stress for all concerned," said justice minister Charles Flanagan.
"The government wishes to ensure that the process for obtaining a divorce is fair, dignified and humane and allows both parties to move forward with their lives within a reasonable timeframe."
If a majority vote to amend the constitution, the government intends to introduce legislation shortening the mandated separation time -- the so-called "pause period" -- to two out of the three previous years.
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But there is likely to be resistance in parliament over any waiting period restrictions being enforced, given that divorces in neighbouring Great Britain can be secured in a matter of months.
Last May, a landslide referendum saw Ireland vote 66 percent in favour of repealing its constitutional ban on abortions.
And in October, voters lifted a rarely enforced constitutional ban on blasphemy.
The law outlining the "pause period" for divorces was introduced following a 1995 referendum, when Ireland backed the legalisation 50.3 percent to 49.7 percent.