Three quarters of Irish people disagree with Vatican on morning after pill

Three out of four Irish people now believe the morning-after pill should be available from the local chemist without prescription, a new survey has found. The result comes just two months after Catholic priests were ordered by the hierarchy to reiterate the Church's profound opposition against all forms of abortion.(The morning after pill does not affect an abortion, it simply prevents pregnancy).

The latest Irish survey carried out by the Irish Pharmacy Union on a sample of 1,007 adults showed that 75 per cent are in favour of the morning-after pill (Emergency Hormonal Contraception) being available from the pharmacist without a prescription, following a consultation with the pharmacist on its safe use. Such a move was opposed by 19 per cent with the remainder not expressing an opinion. Those opposed to easy availability of the contraceptive are mainly over the age of 50, and are more likely to be women than men.

Just two months ago the Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin, issued sermon guidelines to priests, in which he urged them to speak out about "the defence of the value and worth of human life in the womb."

The results of the survey suggest that the All-Ireland conservative front against liberalising abortion in all its forms faces an uphill battle – at least in terms of the morning-after pill.

Pharmacists are convinced that the morning-after pill and a number of other drugs should be available across the counter. They believe that many women requiring the morning-after pill find it hard to get an appointment with a GP at the weekend, when the pill can be needed.

11 January 2008