A meeting of the Council of State to advise the President on the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill has concluded this eveing. Former Taoisigh John Bruton and Albert Reynolds and former President Mary Robinson were unable to attend.

Michael D. Higgins is for the first time exercising his constitutional right to seek the advice of the group on a piece of legislation.

President Michael D Higgins and the group of 21 discussed the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill for around three-and-a-half hours.

There's no word yet on whether the President plans to sign the Bill into law, or to refer it to the Supreme Court.

But as Newstalk's Political Correspondent Páraic Gallagher explains he is not obliged to heed the advice of the Council once discussions are final:

The President has asked the 24 members of the Council to gather at Aras an Uachtairain to offer their advice on the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill.

After that President Higgins will either sign it into law or refer it to the Supreme Court.

The Council is made up of former Taoisigh and Chief Justices, former and current politicians and 7 appointees of the President

There are three categories of members of the Council of State:

• Ex officio members are those who are members by virtue of their office. These include the Taoiseach, the Tanaiste, the Chief Justice, the President of the High Court, the Ceann Comhairle of the Dáil, the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad and the Attorney General.
• Former office holders. These include every former President, Taoiseach and Chief Justice who is able and willing to act.
• Members appointed by the President. The President can appoint up to 7 members whose term on the Council only lasts as long as the President is in office. If the President has sufficient reason, he or she can terminate the appointment of any of these members.