The Oireachtas Health Committee is to hold 3 more days of hearings into the proposed abortion legislation. The Committee will then make a report to the government by the end of the month.

They have still to decide who will be invited although they expect to focus on key medical and legal experts.

The hearings will be held on the 17th, 20th and 21st of May. Chairman of the Committee is Fine Gael TD Jerry Buttimer.

Meanwhile last night the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party met to discuss the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill. It was described as a "calm" and "constructive" discussion.

However there was a disagreement between Minister Reilly and the Minister of State for European Affairs Lucinda Creighton who has made her concerns about the new laws known.

Speaking at the launch of Melanoma Awareness Month, Minister Reilly said he has "no doubt" that there are people within his own party who have difficulties with the legislation but he said they will be required to vote with the government, and there is "no question of the whip not being applied".

The Fianna Fail Parliamentary Party will also hold a meeting to consider its position on the Heads of the Bill today.