A new opinion poll suggests a majority of people support the Government's decision to legislate for the X case ruling that abortion should be legally permissible where there is a threat to the life of a mother, including by suicide.

The survey suggests that just over a quarter of the electorate (26%) would prefer a new referendum to limit the scope of the X case ruling by removing the threat of suicide as a basis for a termination.

The poll was conducted among 1,000 voters nationwide between Monday and yesterday.

It comes on the final day of public hearings on the abortion issue by the Oireachtas Health Committee.

More than a third of those surveyed (35%) support the Government decision to legislate for the X case.

The survey suggests another 29% would support legalising abortion in any case where a woman requests it.

Taken together this shows 64% of voters back legislation for the X case.

Still, the Government will note that 26% of voters would prefer a new referendum to remove the threat of suicide as basis for an abortion, while 8% are opposed to any legalising of abortion.

Elsewhere, 47% of the electorate said they felt Belfast City Council was wrong to restrict the flying of the Union flag at City Hall.

With the Dáil back next week the poll shows Fine Gael at 29%, up one point since last December, Labour down one point at 13%; Fianna Fail at 21%, up one point and Sinn Fein at 16%, down one point since last May.

Independents and others are unchanged at 21%.