Savita Halappanavar effects: Ireland to decide before year-end

On Option 4, Legislation plus Regulations, the report states: "The advantages of this option are that it fulfils the requirements of the judgement, it provides for appropriate checks and balances between the powers of the legislature and the executive, and would be amenable to changes that might arise out of clinical practice and scientific advances."

Prime Minister Enda Kenny yesterday insisted the government was united on the issue of abortion legislation. He said the matter requires careful, calm and sympathetic consideration.

"We're not going to leave this hanging on interminably," he said. "I'd like to deal with this as quickly and as comprehensively (as) it's practical to do so. Don't ask me for a specific date, but it's not going to be left hanging around."

Following the publication of the expert group report, the Choice Ireland organisation called on the Government to "act immediately on the options set out".

Spokeswoman Stephanie Lord said it was "obvious" the government was "left with no option now but to legislate to provide lawful abortions for women where they have life threatening conditions".

"The government did not need an expert group to tell them this but now that they have, it should be acted on immediately."

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