In Northern Ireland, a Bill to prohibit abortion in cases of non-fatal disability passed a vote of the Assembly last night by 48 to 12.

The Severe Fetal Impairment Bill has now gone to the Health committee for further discussion.

Currently, a Westminster-imposed-law allows babies in the womb with conditions like Down syndrome to be selected for abortion at any time up to birth.

DUP MLA Paul Givan said he wants to change this to show people with disabilities are “equally valued”.

Sinead Bradley of the SDLP supported the proposal and said the issue is one of discrimination against those with disabilities.

Sinn Fein gave vocal opposition to the bill, but abstained from voting on it.

Both the DUP and Sinn Féin leaders took the unusual step of speaking in a personal capacity during the debate.

Ms O’Neill expressed “deep unease” at the “narrow focus” of the bill while Ms Foster compared the abortion of unborn babies with Down’s Syndrome with “eugenics”.