Cabinet deal reached on abortion debate
In the last few minutes a deal has been reached on a collective Cabinet response to tonight's Dáil debate on abortion.
Fine Gael and the Independent Alliance have agreed to back a counter-motion, which will be tabled during the debate this evening.
The counter-motion agrees not to pass any bills on abortion while the Citizens' Assembly is still considering the subject.
But an Oireachtas committee - which will be set up to consider the Assembly's findings - will be set up early, so that it is "up and running" as quickly as possible.
The agreement defuses a long-running dispute which had seen some Independent ministers demand a free vote.
