MLAs are continuing to debate an amendment aimed at preventing private clinics performing abortions in Northern Ireland.
An assembly amendment which would have banned abortions being performed by private clinics has failed to win sufficient cross-community support.
A petition of concern against the amendment was submitted on Monday by Sinn Fein, supported by Alliance and the Green Party MLAs.
The amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill was jointly proposed by two DUP and SDLP MLAs.
The amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill is backed by the DUP and SDLP.
If passed it would have prevented clinics like Marie Stopes from carrying out abortions in Northern Ireland.
MLA Arlene Foster condemned Sinn Fein's stance and claimed the party was ideologically bankrupt.
Sinn Fein, however, joined by two MLAs from Alliance and the Green Party, managed to block the move.
"We have known for some time that Sinn Fein is morally bankrupt in everything that they have been involved in over the past 40 years, but I think that what we have here is an example that they are ideologically bankrupt," she said.
The parties put forward a petition of concern which meant that, although a majority of MLAs voted for the amendment, it still did not have sufficient cross-community backing.
Sinn Fein accused those seeking to amend the abortion law of trying to exploit the issue for cheap political gain.
After a lengthy and at times ill tempered debate, 53 MLAs backed the ban on private clinics, more than the 40 politicians who voted against.
Sinn Fein MLA Caitriona Ruane put forward the petition of concern, supported by Alliance Party MLA Anna Lo, and Green Party MLA Stephen Agnew.
Condemned
That straight majority, however, did not count, because the amendment did not win enough support from nationalist MLAs.
The DUP condemned the move.
The breakdown of the vote was 44 unionists and 9 nationalists for the abortion amendment, while 26 nationalists, five unionists and 9 others voted against.
The UUP allowed a free vote on the amendment with Mike Nesbitt, Michael Copeland, Danny Kinahan and Sandra Overend voting against.
Sinn Fein MLA Caitriona Ruane had put forward the petition of concern, supported by Alliance Party MLA Anna Lo, and Green Party MLA Stephen Agnew.
She said her party was not in favour of abortion but believed that the option of termination should be available in the case of rape, sexual abuse or incest, or where a pregnant woman's life was in danger.
She said her party was not in favour of abortion but believed that the option of termination should be available in the case of rape, sexual abuse or incest, or where a pregnant woman's life was in danger.
Ms Ruane attacked the motives of those behind the amendment.
Restricted
'Contrary'
The amendment was tabled by the DUP's Paul Givan, who chairs the justice committee, and the SDLP's Alban Maginness.
"It is a clear attempt to restrict the ability of a woman whose life is at risk to seek a termination that would save her life," she said.
They argued abortions should be restricted to the NHS, which is robustly regulated.
"It runs contrary to the European Convention on Human Rights and those who brought it forward should be ashamed of themselves.
"Their underlying intention has been concealed in legal speak, mixed messages, in attempts to sow confusion.
"They have even sought to exploit this issue, this very important issue for cheap electoral gains in the recent Mid-Ulster by-election."
The amendment to change the law was tabled by the DUP's Paul Givan, who chairs the justice committee, and the SDLP's Alban Maginness.
They argue abortions should be restricted to the NHS, which is robustly regulated.
One of the amendment's proposers, Mr Givan, said he "regretted" the tactics deployed by Sinn Fein and how the outcome of the vote had "shamefully been pre-determined".
One of the amendment's proposers, Mr Givan, said he "regretted" the tactics deployed by Sinn Fein and how the outcome of the vote had "shamefully been pre-determined".
'Vulnerable'
Anti-abortion group Precious Life presented 250,000, what it called 'petitions of concern for unborn babies,' to the assembly on Tuesday.
"This amendment does not change the law in the terms of the grounds on which an abortion is carried out," he said.
"What it does do is prevent unregulated, unaccountable private clinics making financial gain from vulnerable women and their unborn children and it ensures that in terrible, life-threatening circumstances, the best care is provided free at the point of need within the NHS."
UKIP's David McNarry asked Mr Givan to allay fears that men were inadequate in making a decision on this issue.
Mr Givan responded saying that those who put this forward as a reason as to why he should not vote should abstain in the vote.
Mid-Ulster MLA Patsy McGlone said his party, the SDLP, was anti-abortion. He said he supported the amendment as it reflected "widespread support for strict regulations of abortion here in the north and across the island of Ireland".
Ulster Unionist Tom Elliott also put his name to the amendment. He said there was no process for regulating the Marie Stopes clinic and as a result he was "fearful at the help and support for these vulnerable women and the lives of their unborn child".
As the UUP has a "vote of conscience", not all members would be voting to support it. Its party leader, Mike Nesbitt, previously said he would be opposing the amendment.
'Joined-up approach'
Stewart Dickson said the Alliance Party agreed that the regulation of lawful abortion not on NHS premises required more attention and consideration but he said the amendment proposed a "major change" that required a formal consultation process.
Justice minister David Ford told the BBC he wants to see a joined-up approach at executive level to the abortion issue.
He suggested he would be exploring issues with the health minister to resolve outstanding issues.
"We need regulation, but regulation is a health matter, not a justice matter," he said.
"That is why I will be bringing proposals to the executive to try to get a joined-up executive arrangement.
"The key issue today is that we ought to be discussing a specific amendment, which on the advice I'm given as minister of justice, is not helpful, it's unclear, it does nothing to deal with the issues that need to be addressed around abortion."
Anti-abortion group Precious Life presented 250,000, what it called 'petitions of concern for unborn babies' to the assembly on Tuesday.
On Monday, it was revealed that 100 people had signed an open letter admitting that they have broken Northern Ireland law by taking illegally-procured abortion medication, or have helped others to procure it.
On Monday, it was revealed that 100 people had signed an open letter admitting that they have broken Northern Ireland law by taking illegally-procured abortion medication, or have helped others to procure it.
The signatories said that the attempt to change the law was to effectively close down the recently opened Marie Stopes clinic in Belfast - the first private clinic to offer legal abortions in Northern Ireland - and was also an attempt to close down debate on abortion.
The signatories said that the attempt to change the law was to effectively close down the recently opened Marie Stopes clinic in Belfast - the first private clinic to offer legal abortions in Northern Ireland - and was also an attempt to close down debate on abortion.
