1. Public Attitudes Towards Abortion in Ireland

2. Research Methodology Higher Lower
The research was conducted in February 2016, using RED C’s telephone omnibus survey, RED Express. This is the same methodology used for both the May 2015 and the February 2016 research.
1,002 adults aged 18+ were interviewed over the telephone between 18th – 22nd February 2016.
Quotas were set and data weighted to know profiles on age, gender, class and region to ensure that the sample is representative of the total Irish adult population.
In addition to this, RED Express uses a Random Digit Dial (RDD) method across landline and mobile to ensure that ex-directory households or those with no landline are included in the sample – ensuring maximum representation.
The margin of error on a sample size of 1,002 is +/- 3.1%.
Throughout, we have highlighted demographic information of interest, with the aim of helping to inform Amnesty International Ireland’s future plans and communications strategy.
Throughout the deck the following notations apply:
Higher
Lower

3. To Be Included in Press Release
Method RED C interviewed a random representative sample of 1,002 adults aged 18+ by phone between the 18th – 22nd February 2016.
A random digit dial (RDD) method of mobile and landline numbers was utilized 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.

4. Who We Spoke To?

5. Nationally Representative Sample Profile
Age
(Base: All Adults 18+; n=1,002)
10%
Gender
49%
51%
18-24
19%
Same Sample Profile as May 2015 & February 2016
25-34
21%
35-44
18%
45-54
14%
54-65
18%
Social Class
65+
ABC1: 42%
Region
Targets were set and data weighted to ensure a nationally representative sample was surveyed.
C2DE: 52%
Dublin
28%
Conn/ Ulster
18%
Rest of Leinster
26%
F: 6%
Munster
28%

6. Attitudes to Abortion in Ireland

7. Key Findings & Summary
Just over half (55%) agree that expanding access to abortion should be one of the priorities for the next government. While some neither agree or disagree with this, 1 in 4 would disagree with the statement.
A slightly higher proportion, almost 2 in 3 (63%) agree that politicians need show leadership and deal proactively with widening access to abortion.
Strong agreement evident among 8 in 10 (80%) that a woman's health should be the priority in any reform of Irelands abortion law.
Almost three quarters (72%) agree that the fact that women must travel abroad to access abortion unfairly discriminates against women who cannot afford or are unable to travel abroad.
2 in 3 believe that it is hypocritical that Ireland’s constitution bans abortion in Ireland but allows women to travel abroad for abortions.
While just over half (55%) agree that Ireland’s abortion ban is cruel and inhumane – however 1 in 4 would disagree with statement.
Broadly speaking there are little variances in attitudes across demographics, whereby in terms of gender, little difference is note in agreement. Age shows some slightly larger differences, whereby those a little older are at times less likely to agree with a statements – such as politicians should deal with the issue of widening access to abortion. They are also less likely to agree that Irelands abortion laws discriminate against women who cannot afford, or simply are unable to travel abroad. They also show lower agreement that it is hypocritical that Ireland’s constitution bans abortion in Ireland but allows women to travel abroad for abortions.

8. Attitudes to Abortion in Ireland

9. Public Attitudes Towards Abortion
(Base: All Adults ,002)
Q.1 In Ireland, access to abortion is banned unless the woman’s life is at risk. Can you tell me on a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is disagree strongly and 5 is agree strongly, how much you agree or disagree that these statements reflect how you personally feel about Ireland’s restrictions on access to abortion
Irish politicians should show leadership and deal proactively with the issue of widening access to abortion in Ireland
(n=1,002) %
The fact that women must travel abroad to access abortion unfairly discriminates against women who cannot afford or are unable to travel abroad
(n=1,002) %
It is hypocritical that Ireland’s constitution bans abortion in Ireland but allows women to travel abroad for abortions
(n=1,002) %
Expanding access to abortion should be one of the priority issues for the next government
(n=1,002) %
Women’s health should be the priority in any reform of Ireland’s abortion law
(n=1,002) %
Ireland’s abortion ban is cruel and inhumane
(n=1,002) %
Agree strongly
80%
72%
55%
63%
66%
55%
Agree slightly
Neither 19 16 10 11 12 18
Disagree slightly 8%
15%
20%
20%
26%
Disagree strongly
25%
Don’t Know 1 1 2 2 2 1
Agreement is strongest that a woman's health should be the priority in any reform of Ireland’s abortion law
(Q.5)

10. Higher Social Grades:52%
Public Attitudes Towards Abortion
(Base: All Adults 18+; n=1,002)
55%
Believe expanding access to abortion should be one of the priority issues for the next government
Gender
Age
Region
55%
18-24
59%
25-34
60%
Dublin
61%
Conn/ Ulster
55%
56%
35-44
55%
Rest of Leinster
51%
Social Grade
45-54
58%
Munster
54%
Higher Social Grades:52%
55-64
64%
Lower Social Grades: 59%
65+
42%
Farmers: 47%
(Q 2)

11. Higher Social Grades:67%
Public Attitudes Towards Abortion
(Base: All Adults 18+; n=1,002)
63%
Believe Irish politicians should show leadership and deal proactively with the issue of widening access to abortion in Ireland
Gender
Age
Region
62%
18-24
65%
25-34
69%
Dublin
69%
Conn/ Ulster
63%
65%
35-44
65%
Rest of Leinster
60%
Social Grade
45-54
65%
Munster
61%
Higher Social Grades:67%
55-64
70%
Lower Social Grades: 63%
65+
48%
Farmers: 50%
(Q 2)

12. Higher Social Grades:75%
Public Attitudes Towards Abortion
(Base: All Adults 18+; n=1,002)
80%
Believe women’s health should be the priority in any reform of Ireland’s abortion law
Gender
Age
Region
80%
18-24
82%
25-34
82%
Dublin
82%
Conn/ Ulster
85%
80%
35-44
78%
Rest of Leinster
79%
Social Grade
45-54
83%
Munster
76%
Higher Social Grades:75%
55-64
81%
Lower Social Grades: 83%
65+
76%
Farmers: 90%
(Q 2)

13. Higher Social Grades:73%
Public Attitudes Towards Abortion
(Base: All Adults 18+; n=1,002)
72%
Believe the fact that women must travel abroad to access abortion unfairly discriminates against women who cannot afford or are unable to travel abroad
Gender
Age
Region
71%
18-24
68%
25-34
75%
Dublin
77%
Conn/ Ulster
66%
72%
35-44
78%
Rest of Leinster
66%
Social Grade
45-54
71%
Munster
76%
Higher Social Grades:73%
55-64
77%
Lower Social Grades: 70%
65+
59%
Farmers: 84%
(Q 2)

14. Higher Social Grades:64%
Public Attitudes Towards Abortion
(Base: All Adults 18+; n=1,002)
66%
Believe it is hypocritical that Ireland’s constitution bans abortion in Ireland but allows women to travel abroad for abortions
Gender
Age
Region
66%
18-24
58%
25-34
67%
Dublin
67%
Conn/ Ulster
69%
65%
35-44
73%
Rest of Leinster
62%
Social Grade
45-54
66%
Munster
66%
Higher Social Grades:64%
55-64
71%
Lower Social Grades: 67%
65+
56%
Farmers: 65%
(Q 2)

15. Higher Social Grades:52%
Public Attitudes Towards Abortion
(Base: All Adults 18+; n=1,002)
55%
Believe Ireland’s abortion ban is cruel and inhumane
Gender
Age
Region
55%
18-24
39%
25-34
57%
Dublin
64%
Conn/ Ulster
53%
55%
35-44
58%
Rest of Leinster
52%
Social Grade
45-54
58%
Munster
50%
Higher Social Grades:52%
55-64
63%
Lower Social Grades: 57%
65+
49%
Farmers: 50%
(Q 2)

16. Attitudes to Abortion in Ireland – Excluding ‘Neither Agree/ Disagree’ & ‘Don’t Know’

17. Key Findings & Summary
Just under 7 in 10 (69%) agree that expanding access to abortion should be one of the priorities for the next government, while 3 in 10 would disagree with the statement.
A higher proportion, just over 3 in 4 (77%) agree that politicians need show leadership and deal proactively with widening access to abortion.
Strong agreement evident among 9 in 10 (90%) that a woman's health should be the priority in any reform of Irelands abortion law.
Just over 4 in 5 (82%) agree that the fact that women must travel abroad to access abortion unfairly discriminates against women who cannot afford or are unable to travel abroad.
3 in 4 (76%) believe that it is hypocritical that Ireland’s constitution bans abortion in Ireland but allows women to travel abroad for abortions.
Just over 2 in 3 (68%) agree that Ireland’s abortion ban is cruel and inhumane.
Broadly speaking there are little variances in attitudes across demographics, whereby in terms of gender, little difference is note in agreement. Age shows some slightly larger differences, whereby those a little older are at times less likely to agree with a statements – such as politicians should deal with the issue of widening access to abortion. They are also less likely to agree that it is hypocritical that Ireland’s constitution bans abortion in Ireland but allows women to travel abroad for abortions.

18. Public Attitudes Towards Abortion – Excluding ‘Neither’ and ‘DK’s
(Base: All Adults 18+ who gave an answer)
Q.1 In Ireland, access to abortion is banned unless the woman’s life is at risk. Can you tell me on a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is disagree strongly and 5 is agree strongly, how much you agree or disagree that these statements reflect how you personally feel about Ireland’s restrictions on access to abortion
Irish politicians should show leadership and deal proactively with the issue of widening access to abortion in Ireland
(n=831) %
The fact that women must travel abroad to access abortion unfairly discriminates against women who cannot afford or are unable to travel abroad
(n=873) %
It is hypocritical that Ireland’s constitution bans abortion in Ireland but allows women to travel abroad for abortions
(n=868) %
Expanding access to abortion should be one of the priority issues for the next government
(n=807) %
Women’s health should be the priority in any reform of Ireland’s abortion law
(n=886) %
Ireland’s abortion ban is cruel and inhumane
(n=811) %
Agree strongly
90%
82%
69%
77%
76%
68%
Agree slightly
Disagree slightly
10%
18%
23%
24%
32%
31%
Disagree strongly
Agreement is strongest that a woman's health should be the priority in any reform of Ireland’s abortion law
(Q.5)

19. Expanding access to abortion should be one of the priority issues for the next government.
(Base: All Adults 18+ who gave an answer)
Total
Sex
Age
Male
Female
18-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65+
Base
807
388
419 75
160
161
147
115
148
Agree strongly
50%
52%
47%
48%
54%
53%
42%
Agree slightly
19%
30%
21%
17%
10%
Disagree slightly
12%
13% 9%
Disagree strongly
16%
22% 6%
15%
39%
Total
Class
Region
ABC1
C2DE F
Dublin
ROL
Munster
Conn/ Ulster
Base
807
324
422 41
234
209
222
141
Agree strongly
50%
31%
53%
46%
47%
Agree slightly
19%
16%
20%
36%
17%
21%
Disagree slightly
12%
13%
11%
14%
10%
Disagree strongly
18%
24%
22%
Those aged 65+ are more likely to disagree that expanding access to abortion should be one of the priority issues for the next government.
(Q.4)

20. Irish politicians should show leadership and deal proactively with the issue of widening access to abortion in Ireland.
(Base: All Adults 18+ who gave an answer)
Total
Sex
Age
Male
Female
18-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65+
Base
831
404
427 74
159
173
147
121
156
Agree strongly
57%
56%
63%
62%
61%
45%
Agree slightly
20%
22%
18%
24%
21%
23%
10%
Disagree slightly 9% 7% 8%
14%
Disagree strongly
12%
17% 4%
30%
Total
Class
Region
ABC1
C2DE F
Dublin
ROL
Munster
Conn/ Ulster
Base
831
349
420 42
233
214
238
146
Agree strongly
57%
59%
56%
35%
63%
53%
54%
Agree slightly
20%
19%
36%
18%
22%
Disagree slightly 9%
10% 8%
12% 6%
Disagree strongly
14%
15%
17%
16%
Those aged 65+ are also less likely to agree that Irish politicians should show leadership and deal proactively with the issue of widening access to abortion in Ireland
(Q.4)

21. Women’s health should be the priority in any reform of Ireland’s abortion law.
(Base: All Adults 18+ who gave an answer)
Total
Sex
Age
Male
Female
18-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65+
Base
886
435
451 86
165
185
166
123
161
Agree strongly
76%
75%
77%
74%
81%
73%
78%
86%
68%
Agree slightly
14%
16%
13%
21% 6%
17%
Disagree slightly 4% 5% 3% 2% 7%
Disagree strongly
12%
Total
Class
Region
ABC1
C2DE F
Dublin
ROL
Munster
Conn/ Ulster
Base
886
346
462 54
250
231
239
166
Agree strongly
76%
78%
75%
Agree slightly
14%
11%
16%
23%
12%
13%
18%
Disagree slightly 4% - 2%
Disagree strongly 6% 7% 5%
Little difference in agreement across demographics that women’s health should be the priority in any reform of Ireland’s abortion law.
(Q.4)

22. The fact that women must travel abroad to access abortion unfairly discriminates against women who cannot afford or are unable to travel abroad.
(Base: All Adults 18+ who gave an answer)
Total
Sex
Age
Male
Female
18-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65+
Base
873
432
441 82
167
192
160
129
141
Agree strongly
68%
67%
70%
63%
72%
64%
79%
61%
Agree slightly
14%
15%
13%
20%
16% 5%
Disagree slightly 4% 9% 1% 3% 6%
Disagree strongly 8%
11%
10%
Total
Class
Region
ABC1
C2DE F
Dublin
ROL
Munster
Conn/ Ulster
Base
873
364
434 52
247
223
250
153
Agree strongly
68%
69%
64%
71%
Agree slightly
14%
13%
30%
16% 9%
Disagree slightly 5% 4% - 3% 8%
Disagree strongly 6%
10%
18%
11%
55-64 year olds are most likely to agree that the fact that women must travel abroad to access abortion unfairly discriminates against women who cannot afford or are unable to travel abroad.
(Q.4)

23. It is hypocritical that Ireland’s constitution bans abortion in Ireland but allows women to travel abroad for abortions.
(Base: All Adults 18+ who gave an answer)
Total
Sex
Age
Male
Female
18-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65+
Base
868
427
440 80
172
190
155
120
151
Agree strongly
63%
61%
66%
52%
57%
71%
64%
80%
54%
Agree slightly
13%
15%
11%
22%
17%
10% 2%
Disagree slightly 6% 3% 7% 4%
Disagree strongly
18%
19%
24%
14%
26%
Total
Class
Region
ABC1
C2DE F
Dublin
ROL
Munster
Conn/ Ulster
Base
868
353
444 48
246
217
245
160
Agree strongly
63%
65%
50%
66%
64%
60%
Agree slightly
13%
12%
28%
11%
10%
15%
Disagree slightly 6% 5% 9% 8% 7%
Disagree strongly
18%
20%
17%
19%
Those either end of the age spectrum are less likely to agree it is hypocritical that Ireland’s constitution bans abortion in Ireland but allows women to travel abroad for abortions.
(Q.4)

24. Ireland’s abortion ban is cruel and inhumane.
(Base: All Adults 18+ who gave an answer)
Total
Sex
Age
Male
Female
18-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65+
Base
811
401
409 77
157
175
147
110
144
Agree strongly
52%
53%
37%
48%
59%
70%
47%
Agree slightly
16%
15%
14%
18%
21%
13%
10%
Disagree slightly
11% 8%
25%
12% 9% 5%
Disagree strongly
19%
23%
24%
30%
Total
Class
Region
ABC1
C2DE F
Dublin
ROL
Munster
Conn/ Ulster
Base
811
338
413 39
241
204
225
142
Agree strongly
52%
47%
57%
51%
56%
48%
46%
Agree slightly
16%
13%
25%
17%
11%
14%
21%
Disagree slightly
12%
10% 9%
Disagree strongly
20%
23%
Those slightly older, aged are more likely to agree that Irelands abortion ban is cruel and inhumane, while year olds are less likely to agree.
(Q.4)

25. Appendix

26. Expanding access to abortion should be one of the priority issues for the next government.
(Base: All Adults 18+; n=1,002)
Total
Sex
Age
Male
Female
18-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65+
55+
Base
1,002
491
511
100
190
210
180
140
321
Agree strongly
40%
41%
39%
36%
42%
43%
34%
38%
Agree slightly
15%
16%
22%
18%
13%
17% 8%
12%
Neither agree nor disagree
19%
20%
23%
Disagree slightly
10%
11%
Disagree strongly 4%
32%
24% DK 1% 2%
Total
Class
Region
ABC1
C2DE F
Dublin
ROL
Munster
Conn/ Ulster
Base
1,002
409
506 58
281
261
180
Agree strongly
40%
42%
21%
44%
37%
Agree slightly
15%
13%
17%
25%
14%
Neither agree nor disagree
19%
16%
30%
18%
20%
Disagree slightly
10% 9%
12% 8%
Disagree strongly
11% DK 1% 2%
A majority across all demographics agree that expanding access to abortion should be one of the priority issues for the next government, with the exception of those over 65 (of whom 42% agree).
(Q.4)

27. Irish politicians should show leadership and deal proactively with the issue of widening access to abortion in Ireland.
(Base: All Adults 18+; n=1,002)
Total
Sex
Age
Male
Female
18-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65+
55+
Base
1,002
491
511
100
190
210
180
140
321
Agree strongly
47%
52%
46%
53%
39%
45%
Agree slightly
16%
18%
15%
17%
19% 9%
13%
Neither agree nor disagree
24%
12%
Disagree slightly 8% 7% 6%
10%
Disagree strongly
14% 3%
26% DK 1%
Total
Class
Region
ABC1
C2DE F
Dublin
ROL
Munster
Conn/ Ulster
Base
1,002
409
506 58
281
261
180
Agree strongly
47%
50%
25%
52%
43%
46%
Agree slightly
16%
17%
18%
Neither agree nor disagree
15%
29%
19%
Disagree slightly 8% 7% 6%
10% 5%
Disagree strongly
12%
11%
13%
14% DK 1% 2%
Almost two-thirds of people across all demographics agree that Irish politicians should show leadership and deal proactively with the issue of widening access to abortion, except for those over 65 of whom the 48% agree.
(Q.4)

28. Women’s health should be the priority in any reform of Ireland’s abortion law.
(Base: All Adults 18+; n=1,002)
Total
Sex
Age
Male
Female
18-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65+
55+
Base
1,002
491
511
100
190
210
180
140
321
Agree strongly
67%
66%
68%
63%
70%
64%
71%
75%
61%
Agree slightly
13%
14%
12%
18% 5%
15%
11%
Neither agree nor disagree
10% 7% 8%
Disagree slightly 4% 2% 3% 6%
Disagree strongly 9% DK 1%
Total
Class
Region
ABC1
C2DE F
Dublin
ROL
Munster
Conn/ Ulster
Base
1,002
409
506 58
281
261
180
Agree strongly
67%
66%
68%
69%
65%
Agree slightly
13% 9%
14%
21%
10%
11%
16%
Neither agree nor disagree 7% 8%
Disagree slightly 4% 3% 2%
Disagree strongly 5% 6% DK 1%
There is strong agreement across all demographics that women’s health should be the priority in any reform of Ireland’s abortion law.
(Q.4)

29. The fact that women must travel abroad to access abortion unfairly discriminates against women who cannot afford or are unable to travel abroad.
(Base: All Adults 18+; n=1,002)
Total
Sex
Age
Male
Female
18-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65+
55+
Base
1,002
491
511
100
190
210
180
140
321
Agree strongly
60%
59%
52%
61%
65%
57%
73%
48%
Agree slightly
12%
13%
11%
17%
14% 4% 8%
Neither agree nor disagree
10%
18% 7% 5%
Disagree slightly 3% 1% 2% 6%
Disagree strongly 9%
15% DK
Total
Class
Region
ABC1
C2DE F
Dublin
ROL
Munster
Conn/ Ulster
Base
1,002
409
506 58
281
261
180
Agree strongly
60%
61%
59%
57%
63%
55%
Agree slightly
12%
11%
26%
14% 7%
Neither agree nor disagree
10%
15%
Disagree slightly 4% 5% 3%
Disagree strongly 6% 9% DK 2% 1%
Across all demographics, there is broad agreement that the fact that women must travel abroad to access abortion unfairly discriminates against women who cannot afford or are unable to travel abroad.
(Q.4)

30. It is hypocritical that Ireland’s constitution bans abortion in Ireland but allows women to travel abroad for abortions.
(Base: All Adults 18+; n=1,002)
Total
Sex
Age
Male
Female
18-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65+
55+
Base
1,002
491
511
100
190
210
180
140
321
Agree strongly
55%
53%
57%
41%
51%
64%
69%
45%
Agree slightly
11%
13% 9%
17%
15% 2% 7%
Neither agree nor disagree
12%
21% 8%
14%
Disagree slightly 5% 3% 6%
Disagree strongly
16%
19%
10%
22% DK 1%
Total
Class
Region
ABC1
C2DE F
Dublin
ROL
Munster
Conn/ Ulster
Base
992
409
506 58
281
261
180
Agree strongly
1,002
54%
57%
42%
58%
53%
56%
Agree slightly
55%
10%
23% 9% 8%
13%
14%
Neither agree nor disagree
11%
15%
12%
Disagree slightly 5% 6% 7%
Disagree strongly
17%
16% DK 1% 2% 3%
Two-thirds of respondents agree with this statement, with a consistent level of support across all regions and socio economic groups, with age noting some differences.
(Q.4)

31. Ireland’s abortion ban is cruel and inhumane.
(Base: All Adults 18+; n=1,002)
Total
Sex
Age
Male
Female
18-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65+
55+
Base
1,002
491
511
100
190
210
180
140
321
Agree strongly
42%
43%
29%
40%
48%
55%
37%
45%
Agree slightly
13%
12%
10%
15%
18% 8%
Neither agree nor disagree
17%
20%
24%
16%
19%
Disagree slightly 9%
11% 7% 4% 6%
Disagree strongly DK 1%
Total
Class
Region
ABC1
C2DE F
Dublin
ROL
Munster
Conn/ Ulster
Base
1,002
409
506 58
281
261
180
Agree strongly
42%
39%
46%
33%
49%
44%
38%
36%
Agree slightly
13%
14%
11%
16%
15% 8%
12%
Neither agree nor disagree
18%
17%
34%
20%
19%
21%
Disagree slightly 9%
10%
Disagree strongly DK 1% 2%
55% of those who have an opinion believe that Ireland’s abortion ban is cruel and inhumane.
(Q.4)