Taoiseach warns against 'knee jerk' reaction to Ireland's abortion regime

Mr Kenny today described the case as "absolutely sensitive" and said the family in question must be experiencing untold "trauma" and "stress".

Speaking in Brussels, Mr Kenny said the issue of the eighth amendment in the Constitution is one of "grave importance" to the family of the woman at the centre of the case.

But he insisted that the government cannot react in haste and must given careful consideration to the "complexities" involved.

"What I can say is that this is an absolutely sensitive case. Let anybody put themselves in the position of this family - with the trauma and the stress and the pressure that's involved here. I do not want to say anything about this individual case here," Mr Kenny said.

Mr Kenny made the remarks ahead of the final meeting of European Heads of State before the Christmas break.

Pressed over whether the government will change the law in light of the case, Mr Kenny replied:

"Many of these are very sensitive issues and I have no intention of having a knee-jerk reaction or an immediate reaction to something as personal, as complex and as sensitive as this and I don't think you'd expect me to."