Enda Kenny has told Fine Gael TDs they will have a free vote on any future changes to Ireland’s abortion laws.

In a major policy change, the Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said the matter will be referred to a public convention.

Last week Fine Gael's deputy leader, James Reilly, said he wanted the party to campaign on repealing the 8th Amendment, which gives equal legal weight to the lives of a mother and her unborn child.

Yesterday, Labour Women published their plans for the law they would replace it with.

Last night Mr Kenny told TDs Fine Gael would not directly campaign ahead of the next election with a promise to repeal the amendment, something he called a "complex and sensitive issue".

But instead, in his biggest shift yet on the issue, Mr Kenny said Fine Gael would propose sending the matter to a Citizens Convention - similar to the one that proposed the referendum on marriage equality.

Mr Kenny said that when that forum reports back with its findings, Fine Gael members would not be subject to a party whip - meaning they could vote as they want on any possible change to Ireland’s abortion laws.

Parliamentary correspondent with the Irish Times, Michael O'Regan, says it is a delaying tactic.