Three independent ministers have voted against the government in the vote on Mick Wallace's abortion bill.
Shane Ross and junior ministers Finian McGrath and John Halligan all supported the bill, contrary to government advice.
However the bill was defeated by 45 votes to 95, with Fine Gael and most of Fianna Fáil voting against it.
Fianna Fail had been granted a free vote, but only five of its 43 TDs - Robert Troy, Lisa Chambers, Timmy Dooley, Niall Collins and Fiona O'Loughlin - supported the bill.