Abortion: Fall in Irish addresses

THE number of women giving Irish addresses at British abortion clinics has dropped for the sixth year in a row.

But the Crisis Pregnancy Agency has been trying to determine whether Irish women are travelling to other countries for terminations.

Initial results suggest that a number of women are travelling to the Netherlands.

Other jurisdictions have noticed Irish women travelling to clinics since January 2006.

Latest statistics show that women giving Irish addresses at British abortion clinics decreased from 6,673 in 2001 to 5,042 in 2006.

Agency chairwoman Katharine Bulbulia said it was heartening that the number of women travelling to Britain was decreasing.

And, she said, it was reasonable to say there was a very gradual downward trend in the number of Irish women seeking abortions.

There had been a decrease in the number of women travelling to Britain for terminations and other jurisdiction had only noticed the trend of Irish women travelling to their clinics since last year, she pointed out.

The Pro Life Campaign said the welcome reduction in the abortion rate indicated that the tide is moving in the right direction and that a growing trend towards abortion was not inevitable.

The Safe and Legal (in Ireland) Abortion Campaign said available statistics did not reflect the true picture.

“Irish women are travelling in greater numbers to the Netherlands, Belgium and other European countries due to the prohibitive Sterling-Euro differential,” the group claimed.

Research indicates that work, career, perceived stigma, childcare, finance and feelings — or being unable to cope or being too young to have a child — are key factors in a woman’s decision to have an abortion.