In case you missed it…Irish abortion rate declines for fifth straight year

As Zenit reports today and the Pro-Life Campaign of Ireland reported two months ago:

19 th June 2007

The latest abortion figures published today by the British Department of Health* show a reduction in the number of Irish women travelling to Britain for abortion. In 2006 some 5,042 Irish women travelled to Britain for abortion, down from 5,585 for the previous year. This is the fifth consecutive year that Irish abortions have reduced after over a decade of upward trends. In response to the latest figures, Pro Life Campaign spokesperson Dr Ruth Cullen said :

The Pro Life Campaign welcomes the reduction in the abortion rate. It indicates the tide is moving in the right direction and that a growing trend towards abortion is not inevitable.

While any reduction in the abortion rate is good news, nonetheless, the figures remain extremely high and leave no room for complacency. The Crisis Pregnancy Agency, in particular, has a responsibility to ensure that sufficient resources are put in place to provide real and positive alternatives to abortion.

Some argue the reduction in the abortion rate may be because more Irish women opt for abortion in other European countries. However, there is no statistical evidence to substantiate such claims.

*Statistical Bulletin, Summary Abortion Statistics , England and Wales : 2006 ( Published 19/06/07)