The Charities Regulator warned that the Project Arts Centre in Temple Bar would be denied its status if the mural remained

The issue of abortion cannot be painted over in the same way as the repeal mural in Dublin, Leo Varadkar has said.

The taoiseach suggested that a new home might be found for it after the Project Arts Centre in Temple Bar was instructed to paint over part of it this week.

On Monday Cian O’Brien, the artistic director of the centre, painted over the words “Repeal the eighth” in an artwork by Maser, the street artist, after the Charities Regulator said it would be denied charitable status if it remained up.

A statement from the regulator said that charities could campaign, but, because the arts centre had classified the mural as a political advert, it was in breach of the Charities Act 2009.

Mr