Minister: Referring abortion Bill to Supreme Court 'entirely a matter for the President'

It is up to the President to decide if he wants to refer the new abortion legislation to the Supreme Court, Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald said today.

The Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill is beginning its passage through the Seanad today.

There have been calls for President Michael D Higgins to exercise his right to refer the Bill to the Supreme Court to check its constitutionality.

If the Bill is ruled constitutional by the Supreme Court, it cannot be challenged again.

"Clearly the Government is bringing in what it believes to be Constitutional legislation," said Minister Frances Fitzgerald.

"We are working on advice from the Attorney-General, we are bringing in legislation that we believe is within the Constitutional parameters that we've already outlined.

"So clearly whether or not it gets referred is."