The Taoiseach is insisting the government has not run into difficulty over the proposed draft abortion legislation.

The Cabinet meeting which is expected to approve the Heads of the Protection of Maternal Life Bill was adjourned shortly before 2.30pm this afternoon.

Enda Kenny says he took the decision because 28 other issues had to be considered before the abortion legislation which they did not have time to address.

The Taoiseach says there is no problem in the government and he says discussions will resume later this evening.

"The Cabinet actually considered 28 items this morning before we got to another item, and we just didn't have time to get through all the discussion - so I just suspended the meeting and we're going back to meet later on" he said.

"When asked was there a problem, he replied "There's never a problem with this government, because we'll face into it and deal with it as you would expect us to do" he added.

Speaking in the Dail, The Taoiseach explained to Mary-Lou McDonald of Sinn Fein what the reason was for the adjournment.

Earlier this morning, the Tánaiste urged Fine Gael TDs to read the new government legislation on abortion before deciding whether or not to oppose it. A number of Fine Gael TDs have already signaled that they will vote against any legislation which allows for suicide as a grounds for abortion.

But speaking on his way into the cabinet meeting this morning Eamon Gilmore said TDs who have concerns should read the legislation first before deciding on their next steps.

"I think everybody accepts that this is a difficult and a sensitive issue, and I think it needs to be approached in that way - I think everybody should have a look at what's in the legislation before making a decision" he said. "But this is an issue that we have been clear about, that we would deal with".

"It's been around for 21 years, we're dealing with it - it's about providing safety and security for women" he added.