The Life Institute has said that the publication of a Bill permitting abortion on suicide grounds shows that the government "doesn't give a damn for the evidence" and is "blinded by arrogance and ideology" on the issue.

"An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, has chosen to completely ignore the medical evidence presented at two Oireachtas Committee hearings on abortion," said Niamh Uí Bhriain of the Life Institute.

"He is simply disregarding the evidence of Obstetricians who say they have serious moral and ethical concerns with ending the life of an unborn baby where a mother says she is suicidal," she pointed out.

 "And he is ignoring the evidence of our leading psychiatrists who not only say that abortion does not treat suicidality, but have told the government that this Bill would help to normalise suicide."

The actions of the government were "feckless, irresponsible and cold-hearted", she added, since the Bill allowed for abortion without time limits.

"Minister James Reilly is anxious to downplay the absence of time limits, but his only alternative is to have doctors prematurely deliver a physically healthy baby, being born to a physically healthy mother. That baby will then suffer all the possible consequences of prematurity including brain damage, blindness, and even death. This is horrific," said the Life Institute spokeswoman.

Ms Ui Bhriain said that the government was "blinded by arrogance and ideology".

She also described the results of Irish Times poll as seriously skewed since the question was framed to be "misleading and to prompt a required response."

"The poll asked if people supported abortion to save the life of a mother, but clearly that's a leading question, since experts tell us that abortion is never medically necessary," she said.