A Fianna Fáil Senator's used the debate on Education at the party's Ard Fheis to call for a continuation of pro-life policies.
The issue of abortion is set to take centre stage at the event later with four motions demanding the party opposes legislation allowing for suicide as a grounds for a termination.
The party says it will not be bound by any of the motions, but will be guided by them.
The Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin says the party accepts that there needs to be legal clarity - with priority given to protecting the mother's life.
Speaking this morning, Senator Terry Leyden told the gathering that without pro-life policies there won't be a need for education and childcare policies:
There will also be discussions today on resolving the mortgage and jobs crisis.
Motions relating to the party - will include a call for an end to Church Gate Collections and a ban on allowing former TDs - who did not stand in the 2011 General Election - from running in future contests.
Last night Mr Martin announced that he would campaign against the abolition of the Seanad.
"There is no doubt that there needs to be radical reform of the Seanad but what is to be voted on is in fact a major power-grab by government" he told around 800 delegates.
"They are proposing to drive out of the system the last element which has even the potential to be independent of government control....They are proposing to give government more control and reduce scrutiny. I believe the people should reject this proposal and demand real reform" he added.
Mr Martin told delegates that Ireland needs Fianna Fáil
And he launched a scathing attack on the management of the health system by Minister James Reilly who was presiding over "mounting chaos" and real harm.
"Fine Gael has not only broken promises on health made before the election, it has actually broken extra promises made since the election....Today James Reilly is the last person left in the country who believes the health system is experiencing anything other than a sharp decline" he said.
