What you need to know about attitudes to abortion in Ireland

In February 2016, Amnesty International contracted Red C Research and Marketing to conduct detailed, independent polling into attitudes to abortion in Ireland.

Abortion in Ireland is no longer a divisive issue. 87% of people favour expanded access to abortion and 80% would vote to repeal the Eighth Amendment. Across all ages, regions and demographic groups, there is overwhelming support for change. With rare exceptions, gender does not play a significant role in people’s opinion.

Successive polls have demonstrated that on the issue of abortion, people in Ireland are way ahead of their political leaders and the prevailing media discourse. It is time to move beyond the myth of a divided society and legislate to respect the rights of women and girls.

Key Findings Include

• 87% of respondents are in favour of expanding access to abortion in Ireland, at least in the minimum circumstances required under international human rights law.
• 80% would vote to repeal the eighth amendment, either outright or if legislation putting in place reasonable restrictions was put in place.
• Medical professionals and women who’ve had abortions are the most trusted sources of information on abortion.
• People in Ireland describe our abortion laws as discriminatory (72%), hypocritical (66%) and cruel and inhumane (55%).
• 80% of people know that women have a human right to an abortion, in certain circumstances.
• 73% of people think the government should hold a referendum to allow the people to vote on whether or not to remove the 8th amendment.
• 80% believe that women’s health must be the priority in any reform of Ireland’s abortion law. Click To Tweet
• 68% agree that we need to trust women when they say they need an abortion. Click To Tweet

The Irish people own the Irish Constitution. We have the power to change it, firstly by demanding a referendum and secondly, by mobilising to stand up for women’s human rights. We have a chance to make a real difference to women and girls in Ireland. We can work to ensure that future generations of women and girls live in a society that respects their human rights. It is time that the people of Ireland had their say.

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Method

Red C Research and Markets conducted two polls for Amnesty International Ireland. In the first, Red C interviewed a random representative sample of 1,004 adults aged 18+ by phone between 1 and 3 February 2016. In the second, Red C interviewed a random representative sample of 1,002 adults aged 18+ by phone between 18 and 22 February 2016.A random digit dial (RDD) method of mobile and landline numbers was utilised in order to ensure a random selection of households to be included – this ensures all adults were eligible for selection including mobile only households and ex-directory households. Interviews were conducted across the country and the results weighted to the profile of all adults.

The full polling decks are available for download:

Amnesty International – Feb 3 poll

Amnesty International – Feb 18 poll

Amnesty International Ireland February 2016 Polling Background Doc

Amnesty International – Topline – Feb 3 2016

Amnesty International – Topline – Feb 18 2016