The Seanad has rejected attempts to strike down Ireland's laws on organ donation.
Members voted 23 to 22 against overturning the laws, signed into effect by the health minister James Reilly last year.
The casting vote of the Cathaoirleach, Paddy Burke, was needed after the original vote ended in a 22-22 tie.
The debate was called after Fianna Fail collected the 20 signatures necessary to reconvene the chamber during its summer recess, in order to debate the enactment of an EU law.
The laws give responsibility for the system to the HSE and the Irish Medicines Board, instead of setting up a special national authority for organ donation.
EU directives require each member state to arrange a nationwide system of organ donation, but Fianna Fáil claims Ireland missed an opportunity to improve the system.
