Government parties block abortion bill vote amid fears it would split the Government

Tonight's abortion bill will not be voted on by the Dáil after Government parties agreed to block any ballot in return for fast-tracking plans to act on the Citizen's Assembly's findings next year, writes Fiachra Ó Cionnaith of the Irish Examiner.

The move was confirmed in a joint statement from all sections of the Coalition this afternoon as part of a deal that is attempting to stave off criticism pro-choice ministers are failing to act on their beliefs.