A Fine Gael minister has played down responsibility for forcing the party to change its stance on abortion.

Paschal Donohoe says the plan to refer the issue to a Citizens Convention was Taoiseach Enda Kenny's own decision.

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.

Earlier this week, Labour Women published their plans for the law they would replace it with.

While Mr Kenny, in his biggest shift yet on the issue, 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.

The transport minister has been cited, along with Frances Fitzgerald, as forcing Mr Kenny to shift his stance.

But Minister Donohoe says the Taoiseach has no problem dealing with the issue - just as he did with the laws on the 'X case'.