Kenny bids to defuse remarks by ex-taoiseach

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has moved to try and defuse an incendiary intervention in the abortion debate by his predecessor John Bruton.

With tension running high within Fine Gael ahead of looming legislation to deal with the X case ruling, Mr Kenny distanced himself from claims by the ex-taoiseach questioning whether such a move would be unconstitutional.

While stressing that everyone was entitled to an opinion on the matter, Mr Kenny underlined that there was a system for determining the constitutional status of all legislation and that would be adhered to.