Taoiseach doubtful eighth amendment will be passed with citizens' assembly recommendations

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and two of his most senior Government colleagues have questioned whether the eighth amendment referendum will be passed if it allows unrestricted access to abortion in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, writes Fiachra Ó Cionnaith.

Mr Varadkar, Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald and Fine Gael's deputy leader Simon Coveney said they doubt the vote will be backed by the public if the citizens' assembly recommendation is included in any final referendum wording.