The Health Minister has vowed he will not be afraid to use his power to suspend abortion services here if any evidence emerges that new laws are being abused.

James Reilly made the comment as he introduced the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill in the Dáil today.

It brings the introduction of abortion in limited circumstances a step closer.

Terminations will be legal in three circumstances - if there is an immediate risk to the life of a pregnant woman; if there is a risk to her life due to a serious medical condition such as cancer; and when a woman is suicidal because of the pregnancy and the threat to her life can only be averted by ending the pregnancy.

The discussion today is limited to Minister Reilly and spokespersons from the Opposition.

You can watch Minister Reilly introducing the legislation here:

Fianna Fáil's Billy Kelleher described the bill as balanced. His party is to allow a free vote on the legislation.

Sinn Féin's Caoimhghin O'Caolain welcomed the legislation. The party is to impose a whip for the vote, but Peadar Tobin will likely lose the whip as he says he opposes the legislation.

ULA TD Clare Daly told the Dáil that the legislation doesn't go far enough as it doesn't deal with the thousands of women who go abroad for terminations.

While Deputy Mick Wallace described the measures relating to abortions in the case of suicide as "barbaric and tantamount to torture".

He added that women "must be interrogated and prove they are not liars".

Other deputies - including those who are threatening to lose the Government whip by opposing the legislation - will get a chance to have their say next week.

And a first vote of the legislation will take place as early as next Thursday.

But there will be dozens more votes in the Dáil, Committee and in the Seanad before the laws are ready to go to the President for signature in July.