Motions opposing the new abortion legislation were defeated at a recent extraordinary general meeting of the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland, it has emerged.

The meeting of the College took place last month, and 11 motions were voted on and overwhelmingly defeated, according to Irish Medical News.

The meeting debated the issue of suicide as it relates to the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act.

One motion called on the College should advocate only treatments in psychiatry that are 'reliably evidence-based.' Another called on the College not to advocate or endorse interventions that are not reliably evidence-based, for political reasons.

A further motion called on the College to request the support of the Health Minister for psychiatrists to deliver only treatments that are reliably evidence-based.

Meanwhile, a campaign has been launched to repeal the 'pro-life' eighth amendment to the Constitution, which was was passed in 1983.

The amendment subsequently led to the X Case controversy, which in turn led to the recent change in the abortion law.

Twelve women's and civil society organisations have released a joint statement highlighting the detrimental impact that article 40.3.3 has had on women in Ireland, and have called for its repeal to allow for a liberalisation of abortion law.

Ailbhe Smyth, of Action on X, said the group was asking the Constitutional Convention to review the amendment with the aim of removing it from the Constitution to facilitate full access to reproductive health for women in Ireland.

The report by the safety body HIQA into the Savita Halappanavar case and its implications is due to be published later this week.

This will be the third inquiry into the case, following on from the coroner inquest and the HSE's own inquiry.

The HIQA probe's terms of reference include: 'to investigate the safety, quality and standards of services provided by the HSE to patients, including pregnant women, at risk of clinical deterioration, including those provided in University Hospital Galway (UHG) and as reflected in, among other things, the care and treatment provided to Savita Halappanavar.'