The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Paschal Donohoe has said they will discuss allowing a free vote on an abortion bill next week.

However, he believes that the Citizens’ Assembly is the best way of progressing the issue.

A number of Independent ministers are calling for a vote of conscience on a bill that would allow abortion in the case of fatal foetal abnormality.

Donohoe has said ministers will discuss it at next week’s Cabinet meeting and get advice from the Attorney General on its legality.

“For families who have to deal with the trauma of fatal foetal abnormalities, who have to travel aboard and then come back with a loved one in the boot of the car – that for me is something that isn’t acceptable to me”, said Donohoe.

“I believe you need to address that in a more empathetic manner then we have in the past and I genuinely believe that the Citizens’ Assembly is the way of doing that now.”