Abortion in limited circumstances will be covered by law from January 1st next.

The Health Minister's signing the commencement order for the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act.

Abortion will be legal in three circumstances - where the woman's life is at risk because of a medical emergency, a medical condition such as cancer, and where she is suicidal because of the pregnancy.

Pictured above, protestor outside Leinster House during contentious Oireachtas debate on abortion