Tensions are being reported among the Government coalition partners over the drafting of legislating aimed at clarifying the legal position on carrying out terminations where a woman's life is deemed to be in danger.

It is reported that Labour ministers have claimed proposals in the draft legislation are unworkable.

The Sunday Times reports that the proposed law drawn up by Health Minister James Reilly recommends a panel of six doctors -two obstetricians and four psychiatrists - should carry out assessments of whether a woman can have a termination where there is felt to be a risk of suicide.

The abortion bill is due to be presented to Cabinet on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, in the wake of recommendations made at the inquest into Savita Halappanavar's death, the Medical Council has indicated that it cannot change its abortion guidelines until there is a change in the current law.

The coroner's inquest had recommended that the Council should outline exactly when doctors can intervene to save a mother's life in order to clarify the termination dilemma for doctors that was at the heart of the Halappanavar case.

The Medical Council said it would give detailed consideration to the recommendations of the coroner and to any other relevant issues that arose during the inquest.
 
It said: "the Medical Council’s Guide to Professional Conduct and Ethics is a principle-based document. It is designed to support doctors in their decision making in association with other guidelines produced by professional bodies and employers. Its guidance in relation to abortion reflects the current legal position."  

The Council added that in its presentation to the Joint Committee on Health and Children, it made clear its view that it was in the public interest that doctors had legal clarity when making clinical decisions. 

"The Council will support the Government's processes for the development of legislation and regulations, and the Medical Council’s guidelines would be reconsidered to reflect any change to the legal position."

Abortion - time for Ireland to grow up