The first draft of new abortion legislation will be brought to government in the next week.

Speaking in the wake of the inquest into Savita Halapanavaar's death, the Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald said it is now critical that legislation clarifying the circumstances in which abortion can be performed is introduced. 

The 31-year-old dentist from India died from a severe infection five days after her request for an abortion was turned down at Galway University Hospital.

Fitzgerald confirmed that the government is committed to introducing the legislation.