Fine Gael are to campaign for a No vote in the Government’s proposed referendum on abortion.
However, party members will not be required to publicly support the party line and will be free to express their views.
At a meeting of the parliamentary party this afternoon, it was decided the proposal to amend the constitution put forward by the Government would be officially opposed by Fine Gael and party leader Mr Michael Noonan.
"I want to carry the argument with sensitivity into people’s homes," Mr Noonan told reporters this evening.
"Members who have a conscientious difficulty with this decision will not be required to participate in the campaign and will be free to express their views," a short statement issued this evening said.
The Taoiseach has made the proposed referendum a pet project but a date has not yet been scheduled casting doubt over the possibility of holding it before the next general election.
Fine Gael's decision was welcomed by the Labour Party: "It is clear that middle ground opinion is swinging against this unnecessary and damaging proposal," party leader Mr Ruairí Quinn said.
He also criticised the Government's failure to set a date for the referendum at today's cabinet meeting saying both Fianna Fáil and the PDs were running away from their obligations.
"No other Government has proposed a referendum yet been so reluctant to put it before the people ... They are constitutionally obliged to proceed," Mr Quinn said.