THE CATHOLIC Church has called for another abortion referendum to overturn the Supreme Court judgement on the X Case.

Speaking at the Oireacthas Health Committee hearings on abortion, the Bishop of Elphin, Christopher Jones, said he commended another referendum.

He is one of a number of different religious leaders appearing before the committee, along with representatives of the Church of Ireland, the Presbyterian Church and others.

Bishop Jones also said the expert group report on abortion did not present every available option to the Government.

He added that the X judgement went against the 1983 referendum, when 67pc voted for a constitutional ban on abortion.

The X judgment in 1992 established the right to abortion if the woman's life is at risk, including the risk of suicide.

"We just believe the Supreme Court judgement reversed totally the will of the Irish people in 1983," Bishop Jones said.

He said the people should be given a chance to "re-affirm" their views and said the Church was shocked by the X Case decision.