Political parties have responsibility to spell out their positions

Comments by Dr Berry Kiely at the Pro-Life Campaign Press Conference,

Buswells Hotel, Dublin, 2.30pm, 14^th May 2009

The latest research on a range of life issues shows a substantial majority of the public support enshrining protection for the human embryo in law and oppose the Dáil legislating to make abortion available in Ireland.

The Pro-Life Campaign commissioned survey was carried out by Millward Brown IMS on a quota controlled sample of 943 people aged over 18, between 7^th and 21^st January 2009.

Question 1: “Currently experimentation involving the destruction of human embryos does not take place in Ireland. Do you think the Dáil should enshrine the protection of the human embryo in law or not?”

47% said YES, 19% said NO and 34% did not know or had no opinion. When the don’t knows/no opinions are excluded, 71% of those who expressed an opinion support a law protecting the human embryo and 29% are opposed to it.

As the European and Local Elections approach, voters are thinking of the pressures they themselves are under. But they are also looking to the values we need to protect the vulnerable and respect life itself.

Given the importance of the issue, the electorate is entitled to know precisely where the Government and main opposition parties stand on legislation to protect the human embryo. The Pro-Life Campaign calls on the Government and main opposition parties to clarify their positions. We will notify our supporters on the stances of the various parties in advance of Election Day.

Unless legislation is introduced, human embryos could be deliberately destroyed in Ireland for use in research. These embryos are members of the human family in their earliest weeks and deserve protection. The Government’s record in protecting human embryos both in Europe and Ireland has been unhelpful.

There is much public confusion about stem cell research. It’s important to note the stem cell research providing the exciting new treatments we all read about involves adult stem cells, not human embryonic stem cells. The Government should take the lead promoting Ireland as a flagship for this ethical research, which does not destroy human life. Italy and Germany have shown how it’s possible to introduce effective protections for the human embryo.

The recent research commissioned by the Pro-Life Campaign also examined public opinion on the issue of abortion.

Question 2: “Would you be in favour or opposed to the Dáil legislating to allow abortion in Ireland?”

51% were opposed to abortion legislation, 30% favoured it and 19% did not know or had no opinion. When the don’t knows/no opinions are excluded, 63% of those who expressed an opinion are opposed to abortion legislation and 37% support it.

Question 3: “Are you in favour of, or opposed to, constitutional protection for the unborn that prohibits abortion but allows the continuation of the existing practice of intervention to save a mother’s life in accordance with Irish medical ethics?”

63% supported constitutional protection for the unborn, 16% opposed it and 20% did not know or had no opinion. When the don’t knows/no opinions are excluded, 80% of those who expressed an opinion support constitutional protection for the unborn and 20% would oppose it.

Ireland without abortion is officially recognised as the safest country in the world in which to be pregnant. This fact, coupled with the latest findings showing public opposition to abortion, greatly undermines the argument that an abortion regime should be introduced in this country.

Ends…