The private members motion by the Dáil Technical Group calling for legislation for the 'X Case' was last night defeated by 101 votes to 27.
The Bill would have allowed for the termination of a pregnancy if the life of the woman was at risk.
United Left Alliance TD Clare Daly had put the Bill forward.
She said it could be amended at a later stage to take account of the recommendations of the expert group on abortion.
Recommendations to be debated
Sinn Fein TD Peadar Toibin who said last week he could not support the bill because he is pro-life was not in the chamber for the vote.
Speaking in the Dáil last night the Health Minister James Reilly said the 4 recommendations put forward by the expert group will now be debated.
He added that a Bill will be put in place in the coming weeks which has cross-party support.