The Labour Party has voted for the introduction of abortion on the basis of a woman's right to choose, against the wishes of the party leadership, at its bi-annual conference in Cork.
In a surprise result, delegates rejected by just one vote an amendment tabled by the executive committee simply opposing a referendum which would overturn the X case judgment.
The delegates clearly endorsed a motion calling for the most liberal of abortion regimes to be established here.
The vote throws the party's position on abortion into disarray, as the possibility of a further referendum looms. It is the only major political party to have backed such a liberal stance.
The party's National Women's Council (NWC) had urged delegates to support the successful motion which said: "Conference calls on the party to reject a further divisive referendum on the issue of abortion and to support women's right to choose. Conference further asks that women should be able to exercise this right in their own country".
Ms Linda Doyle, of the NWC, called on the party to take a "courageous stand and stand for women's right to choose". Cllr Ann Ferris, from Bray, said it would have been a "cop-out" to accept the amendment and a "disgrace".
However the party's executive committee proposed an amendment to this motion that would oppose any referendum that would "seek to overturn the 1992 referendum in which the Irish people democratically endorsed the Supreme Court judgment in the X case."
Furthermore, the amendment called on the Government finally to introduce legislation to implement the terms of the judges' ruling. The amendment was defeated by just one vote.
Cllr Kathleen Lynch, the party's general election candidate in Cork North Central, said the NWC's motion did not offer a realistic basis for a party policy.
"It is vague, unclear and does not seek to set out any way the medical or social conditions that should govern the introduction of abortion. I would suggest there are many people who believe that the law should be changed, but who would not support such a vague formula."
Sen Kathleen O'Meara said an abortion referendum without broad political consensus would result in an increase in the number of Irish women having abortions in Britain.