Taoiseach Enda Kenny has dismissed claims from a senior Vatican official that politicians should resign rather than support Ireland’s abortion laws.

The Fianna Fáil leader said that he is giving a free vote on the forthcoming abortion legislation because he did want to lose people.

The Taoiseach said that he has "no comment to make" after a senior Vatican official said any member of the Oireachtas describing themselves as a Catholic should resign rather than support the legislation.

A senior Vatican official said that Oireachtas members who describe themselves as Catholics, including Taoiseach Enda Kenny, should resign rather than support abortion legislation.