President calls council over abortion laws

President Michael D Higgins will next Monday consult with the Council of State on the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill before deciding whether to refer it to the Supreme Court.

President Higgins began reviewing the abortion legislation yesterday amid calls for it to be referred to the court to test its constitutionality.

He has a week to decide whether to sign the legislation into law or whether he will need to refer the legislation to the Supreme Court.