The Catholic Church has slammed as “untrue” the Government’s claim that its proposed abortion legislation is not a change in the law.

The proposed law, which allows women who claim to be suicidal to access abortion if their claim is verified by two psychiatrists and one obstetrician, is set to be debated next month.

The Government has claimed that the new legislation merely clarifies the existing Constitutional position, and is not a change in the law.

However a leaflet being distributed by the Catholic Church says that it is “untrue” to state “that there is no change to the law on abortion in Ireland” being planned by the Government.

The leaflet says: “If there was no change this legislation (Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill) would not have been published. The proposed legislation gives practical effect to the X case decision which permits abortion up to birth where suicide is threatened. Ireland is about to cross a fundamental moral rubicon – the direct and intentional killing of the innocent.”

Last week, barrister Paul Brady told the hearings held by the Oireachtas committee on the proposed legislation that the bill did represent a change in the law.

He said section or head 4 in the draft legislation creates for the first time a statutory basis in Irish law for what may be a direct and intentional termination of an unborn child’s life.

“Head 4 marks a change in the law. I don’t think its accurate to say otherwise,” Mr Brady said.