The abortion of babies simply because of their gender should no longer be allowed in Ireland, according to the leader of Aontú.

Peadar Tóibín was responding to a report published in the British Medical Journal that there could be 4.7 million fewer girls born globally in the next ten years because of sex-selective practices.

A preference for boys in many countries and cultures means that girls are far more likely to be aborted.

The authors of the study say it could lead to a “marriage squeeze” in affected countries and elevated levels of anti-social behaviour and violence. This could include an increase in trafficking of girls and child marriages and affect long-term stability of societies.

The Meath West TD tabled an amendment in the Dáil in 2018 to ban gender selection abortion but FF, FG, SF, Labour and PbP voted against it.

He now intends to bring a new Bill in the next Oireachtas term that would again attempt to ban the practice.

In a statement, he said: “We need a society that protects everyone’s life especially those who are the most vulnerable. We need to have compassionate society where human welfare is considered important. We can no longer tolerate a law in this country that blatantly allows for the targeting of baby girls”.