Coalition leaders meet as abortion rift grows

The Taoiseach and Tánaiste met last night as divisions deepened between the Coalition parties over proposed abortion laws which Labour sources claimed were “unworkable”.

Despite earlier reassurances from Health Minister James Reilly that a pregnant woman would not be put through an “interview process”, Fine Gael is sticking to its demand that six experts must assess the risk of suicide.

Dr Reilly was due to bring the heads of the bill — legislating in line with the X case ruling — before the Cabinet at yesterday morning’s weekly meeting.