Earlier this evening, the Dáil voted against a bill proposing that abortion be provided in cases of fatal foetal abnormality.
The bill, proposed by independent TD Clare Daly, was defeated by 104 votes to 20.
Labour TD Anne Ferris supported the bill and voted against the government, according to reports this evening.
Four Labour deputies did not attend but it is believed that their absence had been agreed prior to this evening’s vote.
The bill was rejected on the grounds that it is unconstitutional but Ms Daly has strongly denied this claim.
There has been much reaction to this news with a number of Twitter users voicing their opinions.
If a woman who lives in Ireland falls in the woods…ernh, it doesn’t matter. No one’s listening. #repealthe8th
— Tara Flynn (@TaraFlynn) February 10, 2015
God help any politician that comes my way looking for my support. #repealthe8th @TFMRIRE & Irish women wronged today! Hypocrisy reigns. — Kiera (@littlebird_ie) February 10, 2015
Fair play Clare Daly for proposing bill and Anne Ferris for voting for it. Actually doing something about @TFMRIRE cases #repealthe8th
— Karina Bracken (@karinabracken) February 10, 2015
Serious respect for Anne Ferris today. #repealthe8th — Sadhbh Mc Quillan (@sadubehuh) February 10, 2015
