The Education Minister Jan O'Sullivan is rejecting claims that the new legislation on abortion is flawed.

It comes amid reports that a woman who had claimed she was suicidal was denied a termination under the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act.

It had been reported that the woman, who is not Irish, only found out about her pregnancy in the second trimester - but that is now being disputed.

Two psychiatrists deemed her to be suicidal, but an obstetrician concluded the baby must be delivered by C-section as the pregnancy was over 23 weeks.

It is understood the woman was a rape victim who could not legally leave the country as a foreign national.

But Ms O'Sullivan has defended the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act, saying it was all that was available.

And while she says she would like to see the issue go before the people again, she does not believe this will happen under the current government.

Labour TD for Waterford Ciara Conway echoed the sentiments of Ms. O'Sullivan - telling Newstalk Lunchtime earlier that while a referendum is needed, it is unlikely to happen with this government.

Meanwhile, the Master of the Rotunda Hospital Sam Coulter-Smith says there is a lack of guidance on terminations where there is a risk of suicide and the question of ending a pregnancy when a baby is close to viability.

Mr Coulter-Smith told Newstalk Lunchtime that a referendum should be held to allow proper legislation to be put in place.

Journalist with the Irish Times, Kitty Holland, has spoken to a friend of the woman - who has now left hospital.

She gave some background to the case; but she told the Pat Kenny Show here on Newstalk that the outcome of this case satisfies nobody on either side of the abortion debate.

And the Bishop of Elphin Kevin Doran told Newstalk Breakfast earlier the outcome of the case is better than the life of the child being lost through abortion. However, he has questioned the decision to deliver the baby early.

Originally published 09:13