Barrister raises concern over proposed abortion panels

A legal expert is voicing concern at a number of proposals said to be contained in the report from the expert group on abortion.

The document has been submitted to the Health Minister James Reilly, who will bring it to Cabinet next week.

Media reports claim the report will propose a number of options to deal with the issue, including the establishment of a two-doctor panel to decide whether an abortion should be carried out, on a case-by-case basis.

It comes as the HSE finalises details of the terms of reference for an inquiry into the case of Savita Halappanavar.

Barrister and healthcare ethics expert Simon Mills has said the idea of the medical panel is already in use in other countries.

Mr Mills said: "The approach that is normally taken in those jusrisdictions is that any two doctors, any two registered medical practitioners are sufficient.

"The idea that you would create a two-doctor panel of specific, designated doctors who would be available any hour of the day and night, seven days a week is, I think, an optimistic suggestion."