Latest: Dr Rhona Mahony, Master of the National Maternity Hospital, has released a statement.

THE VENUE was laden with symbolism. Amnesty International was launching its report into the affects of Ireland’s draconian abortion laws and it was taking place in the Pillar Room in the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin, writes Alison O’Connor.

An all-Ireland forum approach is needed to address the complex issues which arose from the High Court hearing into the tragic right-to-die case of a brain dead pregnant woman.

The Master of the National Maternity Hospital, Dr Rhona Mahony, says the extra money she received in addition to her salary came from private fees.

The HSE has launched a specific review into claims one of the country’s most high-profile doctors is allegedly receiving almost €100,000 in top-up fees a year.

A number of hospitals have stonewalled calls from the state’s health chiefs to confirm whether they comply with public pay scale policies.

The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin says any breach of official pay policy by voluntary hospitals or health agencies have to be addressed.

There may never be an abortion carried out in Ireland on the grounds that a woman is suicidal because she is likely to travel to England in such circumstances, according to the Master of the National Maternity Hospital , Rhona Mahony.

Mary Regan, Political Correspondent

The Labour Party leader has said that the Government intends to keep to its deadline of having legislation on abortion ready by the summer recess.

The Master of the National Maternity Hospital has said that two obstetricians and two expert psychiartists would give a reasonable opinion on whether or not a pregnant woman is at risk of suicide.

The Master of the Rotunda Maternity Hospital has said six pregnancies were terminated at the hospital last year in order to save the life of the mother.

No women have complained to authorities after having a termination performed on medical grounds in an Irish hospital, health chiefs have revealed.

There is further pressure on the Government to legislate for medical abortions, following the death of Savita Halappanavar.

DIRECT evidence of "citizenship tourism" is revealed in documentation obtained by the Irish Examiner.

THE National Maternity Hospital (NMH) at Holles Street in Dublin last year recorded the highest number of perinatal deaths for five years, according to its latest annual clinical report.