The Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has said it agrees with the Government's decision to introduce legislation backed up by regulations to deal with the abortion issue.

It said acting on the 2010 European Court of Human Rights judgement by way of legislation and regulations was also its preferred option for dealing with the issue.

The Institute said this was the best way to protect women and health professionals and it also allows for the necessary flexibility to cater for future advances in obstetrics.

Meanwhile Independent Senator Ronan Mullen said Fine Gael had broken its pre-election promise not to introduce abortion into Ireland. He said the decision in the European Court judgment did not require legislation for abortion on any mental health ground.

He said it was a 'psychiatric myth' that abortion was a treatment for suicide.

"Perhaps the Supreme Court of 20 years ago (in the X Case judgement) could be forgiven for thinking this, but in the intervening 20 years it has become very clear that abortion is not a treatment for suicide."

He said it was known from the UK experience how easy it was to manipulate mental health grounds in order to access abortion.

Law plus regulations on abortion