The Minister for Health has denied a report that an update to fellow Ministers on abortion legislation has been dropped from tomorrow's Cabinet agenda.

"Not at all, no I'll be updating the Cabinet tomorrow" was James Reilly's response when quizzed on the issue this afternoon.

Earlier the Irish Examiner had reported that tensions between Fine Gael and Labour had resulted in the change to the agenda.

The newspaper claimed that divisions on how to frame the law regarding the suicidal risk to the mother as grounds for a termination had provoked the delay.

Backbenchers seek termination restrictions

Anti-abortion Fine Gael backbenchers are keen that restrictions be placed on the grounds for a termination - including suggesting that up to 5 medical professionals would have to agree that a woman's life was at risk because of the threat of suicide as a result of the pregnancy.

However Labour say that any such suggestions are too restrictive and would be unworkable.

Minister Reilly spoke to reporters on the issue in Dublin this afternoon.