Gilmore dodges pro-choice abortion question

The Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore is refusing to say if the Labour Party remains pro-choice.

After meeting American business leaders today Gilmore faced questions from the media for the first time since before the summer break.

With the expert group due to report on how to deal with a European Court Judgement on the 'X case', the Tánaiste was asked if his party remains a pro-choice one.

He, however, refused to give a definite answer: "No, we have to await the outcome of the report from the expert group," he said.

"That's why we established the expert group and we will see what they report."

Gilmore wasn't forthcoming either on whether he supports abolition of the Seanad.

A centrepiece of Fine Gael policy, the PFG says a referendum will be held, but Gilmore was certainly adding fuel to reports he won't force TDs and Senators to campaign to get rid of the upper house.

"We've a commitment to put that issue to the people and I'll leave it at that."

On the property tax he says how much the tax will be or how it will be calculated have yet to be made and he'll make his preferences known at the cabinet table