Minister for Health Leo Varadkar will brief Cabinet colleagues this afternoon on the abortion controversy that emerged during the summer.

However, a final report from the HSE review of the case could be some weeks away.

It is understood by The Irish Times that a decision has been taken not to prepare a draft report in advance of the final report.

The case centres on a young woman who said she was suicidal due to pregnancy after rape. She was refused an abortion by an expert panel set up under the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act, which was enacted last year.

Caesarean section The woman’s baby was delivered last month by Caesarean section at 25 weeks gestation.

“I will be giving Cabinet a progress report on the HSE review of the Miss Y case,” Mr Varadkar said last night. “Interviews with the people involved are still ongoing, so I expect to have a report later in the month.”

His spokesman said he has sought reassurances that the healthcare needs of the baby and woman are being met.

The case prompted calls within Labour and Fine Gael for a new abortion referendum.

However, this is considered unlikely during the lifetime of the present Government.