Tanaiste Simon Coveney is now backing abortion up to 12 weeks in a dramatic turnaround.
Mr Coveney had previously said he doesn't believe there should be unrestricted access to abortion at any point in a pregnancy.
However, writing in today's Irish Independent, the Foreign Affairs Minister says that he will support a law that allows access to abortion up to 12 weeks 'if it's coupled with strict medical guidelines'.
Mr Coveney says his new stance on the issue follows weeks of meetings with the Health Minister and senior clinicians.