The Archbishop of Dublin Dr. Diarmuid Martin says he agrees with the Taoiseach that the debate on abortion cannot be rushed.

Further reacting to the death of Savita Halappanavar Dr. Martin also said current guidance given to the medical profession should be reviewed if it is insufficient.

He was speaking following a meeting to discuss the future of Catholic Higher Education in Ireland.

Mr. Martin also said he felt the country had been wrongly portrayed internationally over the abortion issue.

Speaking in Limerick this afternoon he said he agreed with Enda Kenny and Dr. James Reilly that a knee-jerk decision on new abortion legislation following the death of Mrs. Halappanavar would be wrong.

Review of medical guidance

However he said the medical profession needed to be guided sufficiently and if a review of that guidance was needed so be it.

Dr. Martin said he felt Ireland had been somewhat wrongly protrayed as a dangerous country to be pregnant and he added there is nothing in Catholic teaching that gives a priority to either the mother or the unborn child.

He said both have the same dignity because Irish doctors had been able to work to save mother and baby in difficult situations and that he would hate to see any weakening of that tradition.