The Government Chief Whip has said she thinks the cabinet will be told that a proposed Bill on terminations relating to fatal foetal abnormalities is unconstitutional.

The Dail is due to debate a Bill proposed by Independent TD Mick Wallace, which would allow for the termination of pregnancies in such cases.

A citizens’ assembly is due to be established to examine whether or not the 8th amendment should be repealed.

The amendment has said both the mother and unborn baby have an equal right to life.

Chief Whip Regina Doherty, has said she thinks Deputy Wallace’s proposed bill will be in conflict with the 8th amendment: Where I’m poised is that I want the resolution passed to establish the citizens convention so that we can get that discussion going, get that report back to Government, the Oireachtas committee and the Parliament itself and let us decide whether we want to have a referendum or not.

“For me that is the only thing that is going to be sufficient, to get the people who have had terrible losses, with children with fatal foetus diagnosis with any resolution for them.”