The Health Minister says that no pregnant woman who is having suicidal thoughts will be forced to meet with 6 doctors before being allowed have an abortion.

It follows newspaper reports at the weekend that women would have to meet with a panel of doctors including a perinatal psychiatrist before being granted a termination.

The Sunday Times reported Labour ministers had rejected the first draft of the Bill. Earlier this month some Fine Gael TDs recommended a sunset clause be included in the legislation which would allow for the law to be renewed and altered at a later date.

Minister James Reilly has said that the Cabinet will discuss the impending legislation tomorrow.

'We will meet summer deadline'

The government has committed to having the laws ready by July. Speaking in Luxembourg this morning the Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore said "We have a timetable which is to have this legislation dealt with by the summer recess - we intend to keep to that deadline".

"But of course it's important that we get the content of the legislation right; because the whole purpose of this legislation is to protect the lives of women and to provide certainty for women who find themselves in this situation" he added.

Dr. Reilly has said that while the heads of Bill are not ready he wanted to make it clear that suicidal women would not have to discuss their case with 6 doctors.