Fianna Fáil has decided to defer a decision on whether it should support legislation on abortion.

The Parliamentary Party met for over four hours at Leinster House today to decide on what stance it would take.

However, it was decided to put off a decision until after the Oireachtas Health Committee meets to discuss the provisions of the bill.

Billy Kelleher, Fianna Fáil's spokesperson on Health, has been instructed to bring the party's concerns to those meetings.

Speaking after today's meeting, he said:

“At today’s Parliamentary Party meeting we had a detailed, respectful and constructive discussion on the Heads of Bill of the Protection of Life in Pregnancy Bill 2013.

“There is a diversity of sincerely held opinions within the party on the proposed legislative framework contained within the Heads of Bill.

“I have been asked by colleagues to seek further clarity on some issues of concern from independent experts at the upcoming Oireachtas Committee hearings.  Following these hearings, the Parliamentary Party will meet again to consider our position.

“We remain committed to the two principles which have informed our approach to this issue since the start of this Dáil, i.e. the need to ensure the safety of pregnant women in this country and a refusal to play party politics with such an important issue.”