The Dáil has officially agreed to investigate potential new evidence regarding the cause of the Stardust nightclub fire in Dublin.

A motion calling for the new investigation has been passed this afternoon by 94 votes to 50.

The 1981 tragedy took the lives of 48 people and families of the victims have been calling for ‘new and updated evidence’ to be reviewed for a number of years.

An independent legal figure - likely a retired criminal judge - will now be appointed to examine the evidence.

Should the new information be found capable of, “definitively establishing the cause of the fire” a full new commission of investigation will begin.

Sinn Féin and a number of opposition TDs voted against the government plan - arguing that a full Commission of Investigation should be set up immediately.

As part of motion agreed today the chosen independent investigator will need to have the trust of the families of the 48 victims.

The motion also commits the government to meeting with the families.

Last night family members insisted the legal expert should be put in place "urgently" and warned that any future commission of investigation should be held in full public view.