Northern Ireland remains the only part of the UK where abortion is banned in almost all circumstances

The Irish government is trying to find a way to offer free abortion services to women from Northern Ireland.

Sources close to Simon Harris said the health minister was “frustrated” by legal barriers that would block the state from covering the cost of an abortion for women coming from the North once the law in the republic is changed.

Northern Ireland remains the only part of the UK where abortion is banned in almost all circumstances. On Thursday, Mr Harris will meet representatives from Northern Ireland’s pro-choice movement to discuss abortion access over the border after Ireland legalises abortion up to 12 weeks.

He and Leo Varadkar have already promised that Northern Irish women will be able to access abortion in the republic, but Sinn