The Fatal Foetal Abnormality Private Members' Bill has been defeated in the Dail by 104 votes to 20.

The Bill, which was proposed by independent TD, Clare Daly, would have allowed for abortion in cases where an unborn baby had been diagnosed with a fatal foetal abnormality which meant they would not survive after birth.

The Government had voted against the Bill after receiving advice from the Attorney General that it was unconstitutional and a referendum would be needed to address the issue.

One Labour TD, Anne Ferris, voted against the Government and is now set to be expelled from the Labour Party. Speaking afterwards, Depurty Ferris said she had to stand by her conscience when making her vote.

Prior to the vote, the National Women's Council of Ireland (NWCI) had called on TDs to support the Bill. It pointed out that 19 Labour TDs had previously written to the Minister for Health asking that ‘fatal foetal abnormalities be legislated for in the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill and Minister for Health, Leo Varadkar, has also spoken out on the need for this legislation'.

"Our elected representatives must stop speaking out both sides of their mouth, saying on one hand that this hardship must not continue, while on the other hand saying that these women will have to wait until the next government," commented NWCI director, Orla O'Connor.