Sinn Fein members have voted in favour of liberalising abortion law.

They said the procedure should be provided through a GP-led service for a “limited gestational period”.

Party grassroots recognised last month’s referendum decision of the people of the Irish Republic to overturn a constitutional provision which outlawed terminations in most cases.

Delegates at an annual ard fheis (party conference) in Belfast decided abortion should also be available where a woman’s life, health or mental health is at risk and in cases of fatal foetal
abnormality, where an infant cannot survive.

Vice President Michelle O’Neill said: “Sinn Fein refuses to hide.

“It will address this issue with compassion and will show the leadership that is required.”

New legislation implementing the Irish poll’s overwhelming two-to-one verdict in favour of making the procedure available will be introduced in the new year, the Taoiseach has said.

It will make abortion freely available during early pregnancy and in limited circumstances later.

The referendum vote was lauded by proponents as a modernising and compassionate step for women after a fierce debate in which opponents including the Catholic church argued that the unborn baby’s
life was sacrosanct.

Sinn Fein is a major force in opposition in the Republic.

It is the majority voice of nationalism in Northern Ireland and hopes to make gains in the Republic’s next general election.

Irish society has liberalised in recent years, with public polls in favour of divorce, same-sex marriage and access to terminations.

Yes campaigners from the Republic have turned their focus north of the border after last month’s historic referendum to repeal the Irish state’s restrictive constitutional position on abortion.

MEP Martina Anderson said: “The North is next.”

The debate has intensified since the outcome of the referendum, with the British Government resisting renewed calls to step in and legislate in the continuing absence of a powersharing government
in Belfast.