The Taoiseach has denied claims he has agreed to hold another referendum on abortion next year in exchange for the continued support for his Government from four independent TDs.

This conflicts directly with claims by three of the four independents, upon whom the Government relies for Dail survival, that they have been promised such a referendum. Ms Mildred Fox, Mr Harry Blaney and Mr Tom Gildea have all indicated that they have been promised a referendum.

However, Mr Ahern confirmed that several months ago he discussed the issue with the independents. ail support the Government relies for its survival. "I outlined my views," he said, but no promises had been made on the matter.

The report of the All-Party Committee on the Constitution, which has been considering the issue, is to be published next week, following which the issue will then be referred to a Cabinet sub-committee. The Government is widely expected to decide to hold a referendum next year to allow for legislation with the effect of rolling back the core of the 1992 X case judgment. This involved a ruling that the threat of suicide by the girl at the heart of the case was a ground for an abortion to be allowed.

However, the Taoiseach suggested yesterday that he had formed no view on how to proceed. "I will be in a better position to make a judgment on that as soon as we see the final report," he said.

He said no work had been done by the Attorney General or others on a wording or wordings of a possible referendum on the issue.