Gerry Adams said he personally believes it is a woman's right to choose whether she has an abortion. Picture by Mal McCann

A Sinn Féin TD who lost the whip over his stance on abortion believes the party will not change its policy on the issue at this month's ard fheis.

But Peadar Tóibín is hopeful members will support a bid to allow elected representatives a 'conscience vote'.

The Meath West TD said "about 20 cumanns" had put forward a motion seeking support for freedom of conscience on abortion in the Stormont assembly or Dáil.

"I think it would be logical given there's such a diversity of views and that it's the practice throughout most Western democracies," he said.

A similar motion brought before the 2015 ard fheis was defeated.

Mr Tóibín said next year's referendum on the Republic's eight amendment of the Irish constitution, which protects the right to life of the unborn child, would "bring the issue into sharper focus".

His remarks come after Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams said it was his personal view that it should be a woman's right to choose whether she has an abortion or not.

Speaking in Belfast at the launch of his latest book, Never Give Up, the Louth TD said his party supports the removal of the eighth amendment.

“I think our party position reflects wider society,” he told The Irish Times.

“It should never have been in the constitution in the first place and it should be replaced by legislation which reflects our party position.”

The Sinn Féin leader said his "personal position is that it is up to women”.

“Women have to have the right in all of these situations but as a party member I can only support the position which the party has worked out over a very, very long time, which as I say, I think reflects wider society."

Mr Adams's remarks prompted speculation that the party may change its policy at its ard fheis in Dublin on November 17-18.

But Mr Tóibín said he did not expect a change to the current policy that abortions should only be extended to cases of rape, incest and life-limiting conditions.

He said motions advocating a broadening of those circumstances were likely to be debated, alongside those which sought to reduce the criteria.

The TD said he had previously been unaware of Mr Adams's personal views but believes people should be allowed to articulate their opinion.

"We've nothing to fear from debate and nothing to fear from respectful engagement on this issue," he said.

Mr Tóibín was suspended for six months from Sinn Féin in 2013 after he voted against the party position on the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill in the Dáil.