President Michael D Higgins has referred the Government's abortion legislation to the Council of State.

He will convene a meeting of the Council next Monday to consider the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill.

Under the Constitution, before he can decide whether or not to the refer the Bill to the Supreme Court, the President must first seek advice from the Council of State, although he is not obliged to comply with this advice.

The President then has one week to decide on whether to refer the legislation to the Court for a decision on its constitutionality.

If the Court upholds the Bill's constitutionality, it cannot subsequently be challenged