Dáil to hold extra sitting to discuss abortion legislation as doctor brands Reilly 'childish'

The Dáil is to hold an extra sitting next Monday to discuss the abortion legislation before a first vote on Tuesday.

TDs will be given eight hours on the day to have their say on the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill.

It is then expected that the first Dáil vote will take place on Tuesday.

This afternoon Fine Gael backbencher Peter Matthews insisted he cannot support the legislation and quoting a doctor who wrote to him insisted the Health Minister is childish.

"Abortion is the most heinous deed, and this is from Dr Courtney's letter, a man or woman can be part of," he said.

"James Reilly's claim that he will control it is childish

"James Sheehan and his colleagues have said that once the legislative framework comes in we can be certain it will lead to increased numbers."