The former justice Minister Alan Shatter wants Fine Gael to include a promise to hold a new abortion referendum in its General Election Manifesto.

Deputy Shatter told a constituency meeting in Dublin last night, that he believes terminations should be allowed in the case of fatal foetal abnormalities and for women who are pregnant as a result of incest or rape.

He said politicians can no longer deprive people of a referendum because they fear the emotive debate that would ensue.