Kenny wants abortion legislation enacted before summer recess
The Taoiseach Enda Kenny will ask the Health Minister James Reilly to give the cabinet a progress report on the abortion legislation today and admitted he would like to see the legislation enacted before the summer.
Kenny says a great deal of work has been done so far on drafting the Bill, but he won't comment on the weekend speculation that he has listened to.
"I would like to think we can do it by the rising of the summer recess without having to pressurise people by saying we need to have it done by a particular date.
"A great deal of work has been done by the minister and his people and I will ask him to report on the progress he has made."
Pat Rabbitte, meanwhile, says agreement may not be reached today.
Reilly will present the draft amid reports of a rift between the coalition partners on the issue of suicide.
Yesterday, he denied reports that up to six doctors would be needed to assess whether or not a pregnant woman is at risk of suicide before granting an abortion.
Minister Rabbitte says it is a complex legal area.
"I honestly don't know, there may not be agreement today. This is very delicate territory. Politicians can't but have regard for the professionals who work in this area and in that sense, the workability of the legislation is crucial."
