The country's most senior Garda says he doesn't believe safe access zones are needed to deal with anti-abortion demonstrations.
The Health Minister wants to change the law, to move protesters away from hospitals and other clinics.
Since abortion became legal here, a number of groups have held demonstrations - with some carrying crucifixes and small coffins.
However, the Garda Commissioner has told Simon Harris that "existing public order legislation is adequate to deal with protests seen to date at health service centres".
Linda Kavanagh from the Abortion Rights Campaign doesn't agree.
"No, we don't. You can protest anywhere, anywhere... but doing it outside maternity hospitals is harassment".
Contrary to Drew Harris' view, the Health Minister believes more needs to be done to stop women being harassed outside maternity hospitals.
Simon Harris says the protests are intimidating women, and clarified there is "no legal advice against legislating in this area".
Senator Ronan Mullen, who actively campaigned against the introduction of abortion, believes protesters should be allowed to approach women attending abortion services.
"It would be wrong of anybody to try and crush the possibility of the passing on of such positive information, even outside abortion facilities", he said.
"We have seen and heard in other jurisdictions that lives are sometimes saved", he said.
The Health Minister has asked TDs and Senators for their views on safe access zones, with another meeting on the issue to take place in two weeks' time.
In the meantime, Simon Harris is working to make sure all Gardai are aware of the existing powers available to them regarding public order.
