The number of medical card holders taking oral contraceptives has more than doubled since 2009, according to the HSE.

The vast majority of people in Ireland want abortion decriminalised and access expanded, a poll for Amnesty International has found.

University College Cork’s Student Union is to campaign for the repeal of the Eighth Amendment, which introduced a constitutional ban on abortion, following a poll of its students.

The verdict prompted pro and anti-abortion campaigners to unite in their demands for officials to immediately enact clearer medical guidelines.

FEWER Irish women are travelling to Britain for abortions.