Opinions regarding Irish attitudes to abortion in various circumstances has been measured in research commissioned by Marie Stopes Reproductive Choices released today. The research is being released in conjunction with a new booklet on reproductive choices being launched by the organisation on International Womens Day. (Marie Stopes is a Dublin based sexual and reproductive health specialist service providing (for a fee) unplanned pregnancy counselling and contraception services.)

The research indicates growing support for legalised abortion in Ireland and an understanding of the different situations faced by women in unplanned pregnancies.

– More than three quarters of respondents (79%) agreed that termination of pregnancy should be permitted if the woman’s health is at risk;
– Nearly eight out of 10 respondents (78%) agreed that termination of pregnancy should be permitted if the pregnancy is the result of sexual abuse / rape or incest;
– Just under two thirds of respondents (62%) agreed that termination of pregnancy should be permitted if there is evidence of a profound foetal abnormality;
– Over four out of 10 respondents (41%) agreed that termination of pregnancy should be permitted if the woman believes it is in her and / or her family’s best interest;
– Three per cent of respondents felt that abortion in Ireland is not acceptable under any circumstances.

The results of the research have been welcomed by the Irish Family Planning Association and are broadly in line with Irish Examiner commissioned research by RED C published earlier this year which showed that 3 out of 5 18-35 year olds believed that abortion in Ireland should be legalised.

In addition to the results themselves I’m interested to see that the research was conducted by YouGov PLC, the first research in Ireland by this company that I’ve come across. YouGov online research is used extensively in the UK by media groups, political parties and organisations researching a wide range of topics. The research for Marie Stopes was conducted in December 2009. The total sample size was 1002 adults. YouGov say the figures have been weighted and are representative of all adults from Ireland(aged 18+).