Abortion referendum 'unlikely during the lifetime of this Government'
Junior Health Minister Alex White has said he believes there is a strong appetite for a constitutional referendum on abortion.
Speaking this afternoon, Minister White said he knows there is a desire within the Labour Party to advance the issue, but it is unlikely to happen within the lifetime of this Government.
The Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill will come before the Seanad on Monday after passing through the Dáil on Thursday night.
Minister White says the debate is far from over, however.
"There is an appetite for the constitution to be revisited at some point," he said.
"I think it's unlikely that that will happen during the lifetime of this Government.
"I think it'll remain an issue generally in Ireland, as it is internationally.
"So I suppose when people say: "Is this the end of it?" - it's never the end of it."
