Reilly rules out Seanad amendment to abortion regulations

Health Minister James Reilly has confirmed that the draft regulations to go with the abortion laws will be published this evening.

James Reilly has refusing to accept Seanad amendments that call for an anaesthetic to be administered to a foetus being terminated.

The Minister said that the legislation cannot be that prescriptive.

"I accept the sentiment of what you're bringing to this," he said.

"Nobody wants to see any suffering [for] a mother or unborn child, and I believe the medical professionals involved will do everything to ensure that.

"But I have to reiterate, inconvenient and all as it might be, that I cannot prescribe how doctors are to do their work."