12 women head to UK for terminations every day

Twelve women travel to Britain every day for an abortion, latest figures revealed today.

The UK Department of Health said 4,422 patients gave an Irish address when they attended a clinic in England and Wales for a termination last year.

The Irish Family Planning Association called for the Government to legalise abortion despite the rates dropping for the eight successive years.

Niall Behan, chief executive, said: “While the small reduction was a step in the right direction, the harsh reality behind these statistics is that every day 12 women must make the journey to Britain to access safe and legal abortion services.

“These figures are compelling evidence of the need for domestic-based abortion services in Ireland.

“The Government’s failure to face reality means that women’s and girls’ rights are being denied on a daily basis.”

Data showed the number of women giving Irish addresses at UK abortion clinics has fallen from 6,673 in 2001 to 4,422.

A further 134 travelled to clinics in the Netherlands last year – down from 351 in 2008.

The HSE Crisis Pregnancy Programme – formerly the Crisis Pregnancy Agency - said rates have dropped across all age groups, particularly among teenagers and women in their 20s.

Caroline Spillane, the programme director, said it will continue to focus on reducing the number of women experiencing crisis pregnancy and support those who have a crisis pregnancy.

“We hope that these statistics are an indication that this work is having a real impact in reducing the instance of crisis pregnancy in Ireland,” she added.

However the Irish Family Planning Association said the criminalisation of abortion was having little impact on abortion rates.

“It merely adds to the burden and stress suffered by women experiencing crisis pregnancies,” Mr Behan continued.

“Since 1980 we know that at least 142,060 women travelled to Britain for abortion services. This figure highlights the hypocrisy of Ireland’s laws on abortion, which are among the most restrictive in the world.

“Ireland’s abortion laws were put under the spotlight at the European Court of Human Rights last December when the Court’s 17-judge grand chamber heard a challenge from three women living in Ireland.

“All three had travelled to Britain to access termination services and argued that Ireland’s laws jeopardised their health and wellbeing in violation of their rights under the European Convention on Human Rights.

“A judgment on this case is expected later this year.”