The chair of the review into Ireland’s abortion laws has said it is “vitally important” that key research on how conscientious objection rights have operated since the State’s laws were changed is completed before her work is submitted to Government.

Some pro-choice campaigners have called for such rights to be curtailed in case they limit the availability of abortion.

Barrister Marie O’Shea was last year appointed as the independent chair of the review into the State’s abortion laws. Coalition sources said in December that her work was on track to be delivered by the end of 2022.

While “a very substantial amount of work” has been completed, the review is not yet ready as the chair wants to see imminent research on conscientious objection before she submits her much-anticipated report.