An Oireachtas committee is to examine a potential review of Ireland's laws on abortion.

Enda Kenny says the Health Committee will begin a review before the end of this year.

It is to investigate potential replacements for the 8th Amendment to the Constitution - which forbids abortion in cases of rape or fatal foetal abnormality.

The Taoiseach told the Dáil this evening that there won't be a referendum on the subject before the general election, saying complex issues would need to be negotiated, and "it’s not simply a case of removing or repealing the eighth amendment and that everybody is happy afterwards. It’s not that way."

"There are very sensitive stories in respect of fatal foetal abnormalities and other issues.

"If we were to be rational about what we do in this house here there are great sensitivities that need to be very carefully considered," he added.