In a major rebuke of party leadership, members of Fianna Fáil voted by an overwhelming majority to save the pro-life amendment to the Constitution. The Kildare North Cumann proposed, “That this Ard Fheis requests that Fianna Fáil opposes any attempt to diminish the constitutional rights of the unborn.” The motion was passed by a margin of 5 or 6 to 1. An opposing motion from the London Cumann in favour of a woman’s right to choose abortion was defeated by the same margin. It proposed, “That this Ard Fheis calls on the Party to support the positive campaign for a woman’s right to choose in the forthcoming referendum on repealing the 8th Amendment of the Constitution, trusting that women are respected with access to all possible routes to the best outcome for them without the need to travel out of the jurisdiction.” The Fianna Fail party will not be bound by the passing of the pro-life motion and parliamentary members will be allowed a “free vote” in the Oireachtas abortion committee and any vote on a potential referendum and legislation in the Dáil and Seanad.