DUBLIN — The Irish government proposed legislation late Tuesday night that, if approved as expected, would allow abortions in cases where a threat existed to a woman’s life, including from suicide.

Although the proposal has set off a heated debate, the prime minister, Enda Kenny, has argued that it would not alter Ireland’s restrictive abortion laws.

“This bill restates the general prohibition on abortion in Ireland,” Mr. Kenny said at a news conference on Wednesday before the Protection of Life During Pregnancy bill was introduced. “The law on abortion in Ireland is not being changed.”

His assurances did little to persuade the country’s powerful anti-abortion movement. The conservative Youth Defense group branded Mr. Kenny “The Abortion Taoiseach” — the Irish word for prime minister or leader — and vowed to step up its campaign to pressure members of his center-right Fine Gael party to oppose the bill.