The introduction of exclusion zones around GP surgeries and hospitals that facilitate abortions looks set to be delayed until at least the end of the year or early 2020.

In the six months since the new abortion law came into force, the Department of Health has been unable to come up with concrete proposals for the legislation because stopping even silent vigils outside abortion centres might clash with the Constitution.

A new report, commissioned by the Department, has revealed what pro-life groups have been saying for months, namely, that Ireland would be the only country in Europe to bring in such zones if the Government were to institute them.