The Taoiseach is to tell the Independent deputies supporting the Government that a referendum on abortion cannot be pursued until the report of the all-party committee on the Constitution on the issue is ready.

He understood, he said, that the committee would complete its work this month, or next, and the report would then go to the Cabinet sub-committee before going to the Government.

Mr Ahern was replying to the Labour leader, Mr Ruairi Quinn, who asked what undertakings, if any, were given in the past six weeks to the Independents, collectively or individually, concerning the Government's commitment to have a referendum.

The Taoiseach said he had not had a meeting with them in the past six weeks, although he was due to have one shortly. "On a previous occasion, three of them indicated they would like to see that happen in the life of this Government . . . My response, at my next meeting with them, will be that the matter cannot be pursued until we get the all-party committee's report."

The Fine Gael leader, Mr John Bruton, suggested that given the Independents' importance to the Taoiseach's continuance in office, they could exercise considerable leverage on matters such as abortion.

"In view of the fact that the deputies who support him have raised the issue of referring the abortion issue to the people by way of referendum, did they indicate what question they would wish to be put to the people?" Mr Ahern replied that he did not have a "substantive debate" with them on the issue.

Earlier, the Taoiseach said there had been no change in the nature of the understanding he had with the Independents.

"I have also pointed out on many occasions that there is no written agreement between the deputies and me as Taoiseach. I have made no secret of the fact that the deputies have indicated their priorities to me for their constituencies. I have always made it clear to the House that it is my intention to deal with all these issues during the life of the Government."

He added that he expected to meet the deputies shortly with "a view to reviewing the situation and updating myself on their priorities over the next 18 months".

Mr Bruton asked: "Does the Taoiseach agree that each of the Independent deputies is truly independent, not only of party but of one another and that, therefore, the Taoiseach is sustained in office by a seven-party coalition?"

Mr Ahern replied: "It is correct that a number of Independents support the Government, but I do not believe they consider themselves members of parties. They see themselves as Independents."

Asked by Mr Bruton to indicate if the "understandings" he had with the Independents supporting the Government extended to Mr Liam Lawlor and Mr Denis Foley, who had resigned the Fianna Fail whip, the Taoiseach said he had no particular understanding with them.

However, he added, they had indicated in their resignation statements that they would continue to support the Government, and they had done so.