University College Cork has agreed to allow embryonic stem cell research take place on campus, under strict ethical guidelines.

The decision comes after a long consulative process which has been ongoing at the university for over a year.

UCC now becomes the first third level institution in Ireland to carry out such research.

However, a pro-life campaign strongly criticised the decision of the university.

In a statement, UCC said any embryonic stem cell research at UCC should be carried out only under strict guidelines drawn up by the University Research Ethics Board (UREB).