Women will be urged to seek abortions as early as possible so they fall within the 12 week time frame for unrestricted abortion and to avoid ‘less safe’ later term abortions. The instruction will be part of a communications campaign by the Department of Health and the HSE.

One of the key messages, Ministers have been told, will be “emphasising the importance of attending services early, particularly where a termination of pregnancy is being sought under section 13 of the Bill, where the termination must take place before 12 weeks of pregnancy”.

“Early attendance for services is key from a patient safety perspective,” a document given to the Cabinet on Thursday said. “All the international evidence confirms that the earlier the procedure is undertaken, the safer it is for the woman and her health.”

In order for women to obtain an abortion at their GP’s using abortion pills, they will need to attend their doctor before nine weeks of pregnancy. Between nine and 12 weeks, the women will be referred to a hospital for a surgical abortion.