A third Fine Gael TD has confirmed that he will not support the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill.

Wicklow TD Billy Timmins cited the inclusion of suicidal threat as a basis for a termination as the main reason he will not be backing it.

Two more Fine Gael TDs - Brian Walsh and Peter Mathews - have already said they are opposed to the legislation.

Meanwhile the Dáil is to hold an extra sitting next Monday to discuss the abortion legislation before a first vote on Tuesday.

TDs will be given 8 hours on the day to have their say on the Bill. It is then expected that the first Dáil vote will take place on Tuesday.

This afternoon Fine Gael backbencher Peter Matthews insisted he cannot support the legislation and quoting a doctor who wrote to him insisted the Health Minister is childish.

While Deputy Timmins said he was worried by the opposition of medical specialists to the inclusion of the threat of suicide as grounds for a termination.