The Justice Minister says she would not agree that there is a split in Fine Gael on abortion.

At the weekend Health Minister Leo Varadkar declared he was not in favour of repealing the 8th amendment, but wants to see it changed so that it is less restrictive.

A significant number of Fine Gael TDs are thought to agree with that position.

Minister Frances Fitzgerald will not say what her personal view is, insisting the Taoiseach's proposal for a discussion after the election is the best way forward:

"What I would say is that people will support the call by the Taoiseach - that we need a process to discuss this issue."

"We had a very successful constitutional convention. A very respectful and dignified discussion on marriage equality. I believe we can do the very same on this issue, it is the way to do it."