One of the leading obstetricians in Ireland says its 'ridiculous' and 'farcical' that medics cannot refer a woman whose baby has a fatal foetal abnormality for a termination of her pregnancy.

Dr Peter Boylan is a former Master of the National Maternity Hospital.

He was responding to a number of women who are calling for political intervention, after they travelled to Britain for abortions when told their babies would not survive outside the womb.

One woman explained how her baby's remains were delivered to her house in a box by TNT couriers.

Dr Boylan told Newstalk Lunchtime that the situation is hypocritical.