The Minister for Health, Mr Michael Martin said today he hoped the Catholic Church would welcome the Government's abortion proposals.
The Taoiseach, Mr Bertie Ahern, said in a statement on Tuesday the Government had given final approval to the publication of the text of the 25th Amendment to the Constitution (Protection of Human Life in Pregnancy) Bill.
Mr Ahern also said on Tuesday he expected the abortion referendum to take place next spring, promising once more it would take place before the next general election.
Speaking on RTE’s This Week programme, Minister Martin said he hoped the Catholic Church would support the Government in the abortion referendum set for next year.
He said the Government could not legislate for any one church but had to consider different perspectives across society.
Mr Martin said the Government would also examine the McKenna judgement for the spending of public money in referendums and its implications before a referendum on abortion.
