The Minister for Health says it's his understanding that it is not possible to allow abortions in cases of fatal foetal abnormalities, under the Constitution.

Under current Irish law, women have to carry a foetus to birth, even if it will not live beyond delivery.

A group of Fine Gael backbenchers has asked Minister James Reilly to include fatal foetal abnormalities in the new abortion legislation.

But Minister Reilly told Newstalk reporter Louise Kelly he has spoken to the Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan about the issue today - and he has advised that it's not possible:

The Minister's response comes as a new group - called Terminations for Medical Reasons - says it has gotten legal advice which says abortions in such circumstances could be permissable.