President Michael D Higgins has signed the abortion bill into law.
The Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act was signed after a meeting of the Council of State yesterday afternoon.
The 24-member group made up of members from across all arms of government discussed the contents of the bill for several hours.
The signature means the bill has now become an Act, and its provisions have the force of law.
The decision means doctors will be able to terminate a pregnancy in cases where the life of the mother is at risk.
The system to govern abortions will now come into place on a date decided by the Minister for Health.
However, the decision to sign the bill means its provisions could still be subject to a legal challenge at a later date.
But for now, the contents of the bill have gained the force of law - and 21 years after the ruling of the X Case, Ireland has introduced laws allowing abortion in limited circumstances.
