The Irish government introduced historic legislation on Tuesday that will allow for some limited legal abortion in the Republic.

However, the new bill, which will have to be passed in both houses of the Irish parliament, will not include cases concerning rape, incest or fatal foetal abnormalities.

And a controversial measure in the new proposed law stating that a woman seeking an abortion because she is suicidal will have to be assessed by up to six doctors, including psychiatrists, has been condemned by pro-choice groups.

The protection of maternal life bill means that medical staff looking after the Indian dentist Savita Halappanavar last autumn in Galway University hospital would have had clear, legal guidelines when they considered her requests for an emergency termination. The 31-year-old died in the hospital from sepsis/blood poisoning and was refused an abortion.

In the new bill, three consultants reviewing the case of a woman with suicidal thoughts while pregnant must all agree that a termination should proceed.

There is provision for an appeal by the woman where termination of pregnancy is not approved by the first three doctors. That final appeal would be to three other consultants.

The appeal panel of three doctors must also be unanimous in approval for a termination to be granted under law. The procedures mean that in the case of suicide threat, a woman could in effect have six doctors reviewing her application.

The campaign group Doctors For Choice expressed concern that so many doctors and psychiatrists will be needed to assess whether a woman is suicidal and should be allowed to terminate her pregnancy.

Dr Mary Favier, from Doctors For Choice, also raised the prospect of some medics being anti-abortion in their views, which may colour their psychological judgments of a woman with suicidal tendencies.

She told the Guardian: "One concern is that a psychiatric emergency is to be considered differently to any other medical emergency, when in the practice of medicine they are the same thing. A 'medical' emergency will require one doctor to certify whereas in the case of a 'suicide risk' emergency, three doctors are to be required. This has no basis in clinical practice.

"The unanimity of three doctors will also be required in a case of suicidality but one of them will not be a psychiatrist and thus how can they offer anything except their personal opinion? Why is the woman's GP, who is likely to know her best, not to be directly involved? Will there be regulation of providers including the provision that there is a speedy accessible service as per the European Court judgment? Will those with declared pro-life opinions be required to exclude themselves from the three doctor panels?"

Meanwhile, the Centre for Reproductive Rights Europe on Tuesday night denounced the suicide aspect of the bill.

"Our stance is that this bill is really a minor step in the right direction, and creates no new rights. The suicide clause is really outrageous and paternalistic, and will backfire," said Johanna Westeson, the regional director of the organisation.

"The Irish abortion regime, with or without this new piece of legislation, with or without horrible provisions on suicidal women, is in absolute violation of international human rights norms on women's right to health and dignity. It's totally off track with the rest of Europe."

Although the legislation is likely to pass in the Dail and Seanad, with the support of Sinn Fein and Independents, there will be some backbenchers in the main coalition party, Fine Gael, who will vote against it.