Taoiseach warns over knee-jerk legislation

The Government will not have a “knee-jerk reaction” and change abortion laws in light of the Midlands case.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny made the position clear as Leo Varadkar, the health minister, said it was unlikely the issue will be resolved by the current Dáil.

Speaking to reporters at an EU summit in Brussels —and after it emerged Cabinet knew about the case since Sunday — Mr Kenny said the situation involving a brain dead pregnant woman kept alive on life support against her family’s wishes was a sensitive issue which fell “outside the scope” of existing laws.