Despite decades of pro-death propaganda, a clear majority of Irish voters still believe that there should be a period of reflection in which a pregnant woman can change her mind before going through with an abortion.
The Irish public continue to support the statutory three-day reflection period for an abortion, despite attempts to remove it, a poll has confirmed.
Of 875 adults in the Republic of Ireland contacted by Amárach Research on behalf of the Pro-Life Campaign, 47 per cent believed that the waiting period should be “retained”. Far fewer - only 38 per cent - said that it should be “removed”, with 16 per cent unsure.
In June, deputies backed a Sinn Féin Bill to remove the reflection period by 86 votes to 70. The proposal will now be considered by an Oireachtas committee.
Pro Life Campaign spokesperson Eilís Mulroy welcomed the poll’s findings: “We are very encouraged, though not surprised, by these results. Public support for retaining the three-day reflection period has been evident for months and, if anything, appears to be strengthening.”
“As more people hear the full case for retaining the three-day reflection period, we believe public support will grow even stronger. Replies to parliamentary questions show that, over a five-year period, 10,534 women did not return to proceed with an abortion after the three-day period had elapsed.
“That’s an incredible figure and one that, in our view, proves the life-saving impact of the waiting period.”
She concluded: “It is truly shocking that Sinn Féin and other backers of abolishing the three-day wait didn’t even take the time to formally consult with any of these women before pressing ahead with their agenda to get rid of one of the last remaining safeguards under Ireland’s abortion on demand regime.”