Sinn Fein and SDLP representatives in Derry have been studying Ireland's decision to repeal the Eighth Amendment.
Two-thirds of the Southern electorate voted in favor of repeal, which removes the equal constitutional recognition to life of the pregnant woman and the unborn.
Th Eighth Amendment, passed in 1983, will be replaced with the wording: "Provision may be made by law for the regulation of termination of pregnancies."
The Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said that a new abortion law will be in place by the end of the year. The proposed legislation will allow abortions during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy and up to the 24th week in exceptional circumstances.
The SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood said that the democratic will of the people of Ireland should be respected.
The Foyle MLA commented: "We must commend both sides for emphatically defending their conscience in this referendum, and acknowledge many people of goodwill and integrity on both sides of the debate.
“There will be many across our nation today who will be unnerved and uncomfortable with this outcome. People of good intent who fought this referendum on the basis of their deeply held beliefs must be met with grace and our priority must now be bringing people back together.
“Today also comes as a stark reminder how distinctly unfair it is for the people here in the North who cannot legislate on any issue because they are being denied a government for reasons much less insurmountable than the one being overcome in the Republic.
“Elected representatives in the North must now turn to the facts of the working group report to ensure our laws are fit for purpose and the days of exporting this issue are brought to an end.”
'Momentous'
Sinn Fein's Northern leader Michelle O'Neill said the referendum result showed there was a "real appetite for change on the island of Ireland". While the party's Southern leader Mary Lou McDonald called it a 'momentous day' - and said that the result was a sign of a 'new and better Ireland'.
Foyle MP, Elisha McCallion, posted a photograph on social media of the two Sinn Fein leaders holding a placard reading: "THE NORTH IS NEXT".
Ms McCallion also said: "It is not a time for celebrating but for a sigh of relief. Today is a good day xx."
Archbishop Eamon Martin had been strongly backing a no vote. The Derry-born Primate of All Ireland, had said the Amendment was a declaration of equality of life between the life of a woman and her unborn child, 'both lives being precious, in need of protection, love and the support of society and its laws'.
Commenting after the vote, he said: "This weekend at Mass I will give thanks in prayer for the many courageous 'missionaries for life' who made such a huge effort to remind us that in pregnancy we are dealing with two lives - both in need of love, respect and protection.
"Every human life remains beautiful, every human life remains precious. Every human life remains sacred."
Meeting
Pro-choice campaigners in Derry are now calling a public meeting to demand the same rights in the North as in the South.
Goretti Horgan of People Before Profit said: "This is a great day. Irish women will now have choice. Now we need the same right in the North. PBP have called a public meeting on Thursday at 7pm Echo Echo Theatre, Time for Choice, North and South."
The IRSP in Derry, meanwhile, said that the referendum had ended in "ultimate success" and are calling for another one on Irish unity.
Donegal was the only region in Ireland to vote to retain the Eighth Amendment. Just under 52% of the Donegal electorate voted ‘No’ while 48.13% voted ‘Yes.’ However, those areas of south Donegal, which were in the Sligo/Leitrim constituency voted 63% ‘Yes.’
If you have a story or want to send a photo or video to us please contact the Derry Now editorial team on 028 7129 6600 for Derry City stories Or 028 7774 3970 for County Derry stories. Or you can email editor@derrynews.net at any time.