In an exclusive interview with Pat Kenny, the Taoiseach insisted the issue of abortion won't be revisited in the lifetime of this government.
Speaking as the Fine Gael parliamentary party gathers in Cork for its annual think-in, Mr Kenny said that despite the controversy over the 'Y-case', there's no change on the cards.
Ms Y, an immigrant rape victim who wanted an abortion and said she was suicidal during the summer, prompted calls for a review of the latest legislation or even another referendum.
The Taoiseach confirmed that the government would not be discussing the matter further: "It won't be revisited during the lifetime of this government."
The Taoiseach continued: "We have had exhaustive discussions before the decision in respect of legislating for the Supreme Court interpretation of the people's decision in the Constitution, that was to give equal status to the life of mother and life of unborn but also to give legal clarity as to the circumstances in which a termination might be provided and that is where the life of the mother was threatened."
Speaking about interpretation of the law, Kenny said he understood the sensitivity of the cases: "I fully understand the sensitivity of the cases that are presented with fatal foetal abnormalities and these are all sensitive and exceptionally personal. What people put into our Constitution was interpreted by the Supreme Court and was not legislated for over 20 years. The Government set out to give legal clarity to those circumstances where a termination can also save the life of a baby. Obviously the law was not invoked at an earlier time. Ministers commissioned a report on that, I would like to see the full facts before I comment further on that."
Kenny also spoke at length about Leo Varadkar who expressed doubt over the timeline for abolishing the Health Service Executive (HSE) and introducing free GP care.
"Leo is a new Minister with a most challenging portfolio. What annoyed me was the fact that when a new Minister goes over to the department, they had obviously been preparing for his arrival and presented him with a document of what I understand was about 300 pages indicating what you cannot do."
"Government is about making decisions and making changes that impact on peoples' lives and the country for their betterment and what we have to with Health is move to what Government policy is, which is to put in place the building blocks where Universal Health Insurance can be brought in."
"Leo Varadkar will do his job, exceptionally and competently, I have no doubt."
