All motions on the provision of abortion services have been rejected at the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) annual conference. The proposals related to where there is a real and substantial risk to a mother's life, cases of rape or if a baby would be unlikely to live.

There was a clear divide among doctors at the conference on abortion. It was the first time that motions on the controversial issue have been discussed at the event in 20 years.

There were divisive and heated exchanges of opinions among the delegates during the debates on backing legal terminations.

Discussion on government legislation

One of the motions called for the IMO to support the regulation of abortion services where there is a real and substantial risk to the life of the mother.

The doctors also discussed calls on the government to legislate for legal terminations where a woman becomes pregnant as a result of a criminal act or in cases where the foetus is non-viable.

In the end all 3 of them were rejected.