Dublin's Mater Hospital has said it will carry out terminations under the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act.

In a statement, the hospital said it would comply with the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act which provides for terminations of pregnancy to be performed when there is a threat to the life of the mother.

The hosital said: "The Mater Hospital has carefully considered the Act. The Hospital's priority is to be at the frontier of compassion, concern and clinical care for all our patients. Having regard to that duty, the Hospital will comply with the law as provided for in the act."

During the summer, a member of the Mater board, Fr Kevin Doran indicated that the hospital could carry out abortions because this would contravene its Catholic ethos.

The Mater is one of 25 institutions designated under the Act as centres where abortions can be carried out under the legislation.

Although the Mater is not a maternity hospital, in some cases, seriously ill pregnant women would be transferred there from maternity units for treatment.