Yesterday, the Dáil voted down Clare Daly's bill, to allow abortion in cases of fatal foetal abnormality, by 104 votes to 20.

The former justice Minister Alan Shatter wants Fine Gael to include a promise to hold a new abortion referendum in its General Election Manifesto.

Deputy Shatter told a constituency meeting in Dublin last night, that he believes terminations should be allowed in the case of fatal foetal abnormalities and for women who are pregnant as a result of incest or rape.

The Taoiseach has been told he would be a "hypocrite" if he doesn't hold a referendum on abortion this year, while still offering condolences to parents with children suffering from fatal foetal abnormalities.

“You propose inaction, condemning those people to come home and have the ashes sent in a jiffy bag and a DHL van," he was told by Clare Daly.

The Taoiseach says the Dáil cannot support a measure it knows to be unconstitutional.

Ivan Yates stated: "It is absolutely appalling stuff.

"He wants to shut down any conversation, he doesn't want to go there, vis-à-vis, women who were raped, subject of incest who seek a termination.

"Have we all forgotten that a woman lay on a bed in a hospital because she was pregnant on a life support machine even though she was clinically dead because of this?

"The Minister for Health has even articulated the Eighth Amendment is totally unworkable and totally impossible for pregnant women.

"I just cannot understand the paralysis that the Taoiseach is creating for the Government on this issue."

He continued: "I thought it was a humiliating day for the Tanaiste and the Labour Party. 

"They should have allowed the bill to actually test it's constitutionality."