Ireland and Abortion

 

New Poll Shows Slipping Support for a repeal of Ireland’s pro-life 8th Amendment

A new poll released this week in the Sunday Independent revealed that the percentage of voters supporting a referendum to repeal the 8th amendment of the constitution has fallen significantly, down from 66% in June to 56% in the current poll.
The poll also showed that the public’s view on abortion for babies with severe disabilities have dramatically changed in recent times, with a huge fall in the percentage of people supporting abortion where babies may not live for long after birth.
Polls published three years ago showed more than 80% of the public agreeing with abortion in these cases, since misinformation from the media had led to major public misunderstanding of the issue. However a poll for the Sunday Independent in June showed that support for abortion for so-called ‘fatal fetal abnormalities’ had slipped to 63% and this new poll shows that support falling further to 55%.
It is very likely that this significant shift in public opinion has a great deal to do with the work of groups like “Every Life Counts” and the parents of babies diagnosed with life limiting conditions bravely speaking out about their own experiences. Bringing these personal stories to the public’s attention has done much to make the Irish public recognize the humanity of these babies and of the need to provide better care rather than abortion. They have addressed much of the misinformation that was causing so much confusion and the results can be seen in the public’s response.
The Sunday Independent also reported that levels of support for abortion have decreased on all fronts.
The paper commented

“There has also been a sizeable drop in support for granting terminations in cases of fatal foetal abnormalities, while fewer people now believe a rape victim should be allowed to access abortion services. But the percentage of voters who say they are opposed to the Government calling a referendum has reached its highest point in over a year.”

Niamh Uí Bhriain of the Life Institute said that the Life Canvass, a major national campaign aiming to reach the electorate with a personal conversation on abortion was changing hearts and minds every day.
“We’re going to see improvements in the polls as more and more people are canvassed and their questions answered,” she said. “The media and government are underestimating the public’s concern regarding the liberalization of the abortion laws and the commitment of the pro-life movement to reaching the public on this issue.”

Source: NRLC News