Cabinet deal reached on abortion debate

In the last few minutes a deal has been reached on a collective Cabinet response to tonight's Dáil debate on abortion.

Fine Gael and the Independent Alliance have agreed to back a counter-motion, which will be tabled during the debate this evening.

The counter-motion agrees not to pass any bills on abortion while the Citizens' Assembly is still considering the subject.

But an Oireachtas committee - which will be set up to consider the Assembly's findings - will be set up early, so that it is "up and running" as quickly as possible.

The agreement defuses a long-running dispute which had seen some Independent ministers demand a free vote.