The Taoiseach says the government intends to approve the new Protection of Maternal Life Bill at today's cabinet meeting.

It follows days of fractious debate on the inclusion of suicide as a risk to a mother's life, with at least one Fine Gael TD officially vowing to vote against such a clause.

After no agreement was reached on draft abortion legislation at last Tuesday's meeting, a special sub-committee was set up to examine the differences of opinion, involving Fine Gael Health Minister James Reilly and Children's Minister Frances Fitzgerald and Labour Junior Health Ministers Alex White and Kathleen Lynch.

Enda Kenny said the government intends to approve the main points of the bill today, and send the legislation to the Oireachtas Health Committee.

But Enda Kenny brushed aside concerns that the new bill would lead to resignations in his own party.

He said the legislation was more important than party politics. 

The Tanaiste is urging Fine Gael TDs to read the government's new legislation on abortion before deciding whether or not to oppose it.

Speaking on his way into the cabinet meeting Eamon Gilmore said the the government must do their job and deal with the issue 

Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte denied that the new abortion legislation was a Labour getting what it wanted 

If the Cabinet signs off on the Heads of the Bill it will then proceed to committee stage for what's set to be a lengthy review process before being presented to the Dail and Seanad.

Last night, several hundred people attended a protest in Dublin over fears that the legislation will be too restrictive.