A new opinion poll carried out by Millward Brown Lansdowne, on behalf of the ProLife Campaign shows strong public backing for the
pro-life commitments made by majority government party Fine Gael, prior to the
general election in 2011.
The new research also reveals significant public support for
current medical practice in Ireland where there is a duty of care towards the
baby when intervening in pregnancy to save the mother’s life.
Poll respondents were asked, “Just prior to polling day in
the 2011 General Election, Fine Gael said it was opposed to the legalization of
abortion and experimentation on human embryos. It said that Fine Gael’s
representatives would bring to the proposed all-party committee a clear
commitment that women in pregnancy will receive whatever treatments are
necessary to safeguard their lives, and the duty of care to preserve the life
of the baby will also be upheld.
Would you agree or disagree with this commitment?”
Some 80 percent said they agreed with the pro-life
commitment while 20 percent said they disagreed. The response from
Connacht/Ulster, which includes the Prime Minister’s (Taoiseach’s) own
constituency of Mayo, was telling as 87% agreed and only 13% disagreed.
A second question in the poll asked Irish citizens, “Current
medical practice in Ireland does not allow the deliberate killing of the unborn
baby. In a crisis pregnancy
situation, the doctor has a duty of care towards the baby when intervening to
save the mother’s life. Do you
consider that this ethical practice should be protected by law?”
Some 78% of those who expressed an opinion said it should
and 22% disagreed and ProLife Campaign noted there was majority support in all
ages, social classes and regions.
