There is disappointment over the exclusion of rape from a new European Union directive on combatting violence against women.
Rape Crisis Network Ireland has described it as 'a blow'.
Members of the European Union failed to hammer out agreement on how to define the term.
Rape Crisis Network Ireland Executive Director Clíona Saidléar has said it is a shame there was no deal.
"We could not agree a standard of protection that would protect all women in Europe equally, and that is really disappointing," she said.
"As it happens Ireland has that standard... which is consent-based rape legislation.
"But other countries do not and that was a stumbling block.
"We can't but be disappointed, it is a blow.
"What we were trying to achieve here, and what the directive was trying to achieve, was to have a standard of protection for all women across Europe that was the same.
"That had fallen yesterday in terms of bringing that about," she added.
The new EU rules will criminalise a range of offences, including female genital mutilation and cyber violence.
The directive will also ensure that victims have access to justice, the right to claim compensation as well as access to free of charge helplines and rape crisis centres.
In November 2022, the European Commission announced an EU-wide standard helpline number for victims of violence against women. The number is 116-016.
Additional reporting: Cliona O'Dwyer
