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Abortions should be permitted in Northern Ireland in cases where the foetus has a lethal abnormality, the Department of Justice has said.
The controversial proposal to alter the region's strict abortion laws would allow women whose baby has no chance of survival outside the womb to terminate the pregnancy early.
If passed, it would mark the first change to abortion legislation in more than a century.
Justice Minister David Ford said: "I believe we owe it to people who have highlighted the case in the media and others who have suffered in silence that we address those issues which have caused significant concern."
Northern Ireland is not covered by the 1967 Abortion Act and every year more than 1,000 women travel to clinics in England, Scotland and Wales where access to an abortion is allowed up to 24 weeks into pregnancy on grounds that include abnormalities which could lead to a child being seriously disabled.
The issue gained prominence last October when Sarah Ewart went public about how she was forced to travel to London for a termination after her baby was diagnosed with anencephaly, a severe brain anomaly which meant the skull had not developed properly.
Another woman, known only as Laura, who was 22 weeks pregnant with twins suffering from the same fatal condition, also spoke out about being told she would have to fly to England for an abortion.
Mr Ford added: "It is clear there are very few people in Northern Ireland and very few people in the Assembly who would wish to see the full introduction of the 1967 (Abortion) Act.
"But, I do think when we look at the difficult issues of lethal foetal abnormality that there are people with compassion for women carrying foetuses in such circumstances that may well mean there is a small area that merits consideration for change."
Abortions are only permitted in Northern Ireland in certain circumstances including when the life of the mother is in grave danger.
Under the current law (1861 Offences Against the Person Act) it is a criminal offence for a woman to have an unlawful abortion, or for any other person to carry out an unlawful abortion.
The DoJ has recommended that women be given the choice of terminating a pregnancy if two doctors agreed that the foetus had no prospect of life after delivery.
This would enable a woman to decide at the point when such a judgement is made, usually at the 20 week scan.
The DoJ consultation paper, which has been produced with the assistance of medics, is strictly focused on two aspects of the criminal law on abortion.
It does not address the regulation of private clinics such as Marie Stopes, which offer abortion services or guidelines for doctors and nurses which fall under the remit of the Department of Health.
Members of the public are also being asked to consider whether abortion should be legal in cases of sexual crime such as rape or incest.
Any legislative changes have to be rubber-stamped by the Stormont Executive and go before the Assembly for final approval where the controversial petition of concern could be used as a veto.
The public consultation on abortion legislation will close next January.
