Spiralling Abortion Numbers must be top of the Agenda when Dáil Returns

The Dáil went into recess on 11 July and is not due to resume sittings until 18 September. Many commentators and politicians are predicting a general election will be called this autumn, with the poll predicted to be held some time in October. Many issues will dominate the likely short remaining lifespan of this Dáil, especially those which are posed to play a large role in the general election campaign. But the issue which urgently needs to be addressed by politicians of all parties and none is the alarming rise in the abortion rate.

Purely drawing on the claims made by General Practitioners for reimbursements from the HSE for individual abortions performed, we can see that from 2019 to 2023 there have been 38,467 claims representing the same number of abortions. This does not even include the abortion rate in hospitals, which whilst generally lower than the GP abortion rate (primary care sector) it would still represent quite a high figure. Because the government’s annual notification report has been frightfully inaccurate, and because there has been a stubborn refusal to release the hospital abortion rate per year as an isolated figure, it is very difficult to calculate the true scale of abortion in Ireland.

But with the information we do have, it is clear that each year has seen a sharp and alarming rise in the abortion rate. This undeniable trends intersects with other burning political issues such as the housing and health crisis. It’s a symptom of societal insecurity and the lack of a proactive government policy to support women in unplanned pregnancies. The fact that the government tries to skirt over addressing this major issue is a national scandal, whilst the few lonely voices in the Dáil who dare to raise this issue are often subjected to the ‘silent treatment’ or even smears.

The coming general election will present an opportunity to drive home the importance of tackling the alarmingly high abortion rate. In the 7 June local elections, it was often (misleadingly) claimed that the abortion issue was somehow “irrelevant” to local elections which tend to focus on local issues. Moreover, these elections were held prior to the release of the shocking revelation that the government received 10,033 abortion notifications last year – the highest year on record. As such, the general election campaign will be fought in a different context. It’s important that we ensure that the pro-life message is heard and taken seriously in this coming campaign, because it may be our last opportunity to make abortion a national election issue for several years – and given current trends, who can tell where the abortion rate will be in 5 years’ time?

Athlete competing in Paris carrying 'little Olympian' as she reveals pregnancy

Egyptian fencer Nada Hafez is making headlines at the Paris 2024 Olympics after revealing that she’s seven months pregnant

The 26-year-old not only competed in the Olympics while pregnant, she advanced to the round of 16, achieving what she describes as a “double victory.”She disclosed her pregnancy on Instagram, saying: “What appears to you as two players on the podium, they were actually three!

It was me, my competitor, and my yet-to-come to our world, little baby!”She was open about the challenges getting ready for the Olympics while pregnant, declaring: “My baby & I had our fair share of challenges, be it both physical & emotional. The rollercoaster of pregnancy is tough on its own, but having to fight to keep the balance of life & sports was nothing short of strenuous, however worth it.”

Congratulations to Nada on her pregnancy and her success at the Olympics. The life-affirming message she shared with millions of people in recent days is admirable and will have a positive and lasting impact.

Iowa’s six-week heartbeat law finally comes into effect

The Iowa Supreme court has decided against Planned Parenthood in a case which was brought by the pro-abortion organisation against the decision of the Iowa state legislature to introduce a six-week ban on abortion.

Iowa has thus become the twenty second US state to bring forth legislation aimed at limiting abortion and protecting human life. The law’s impact will reduce Iowa’s abortion threshold from 20 weeks to just 6 weeks, the point at which a baby’s heart begins to beat.

The state’s governor, Kim Reynolds, has been a staunch advocate for the pro-life cause in public life. The ruling comes at a time when the issue of abortion has become a major topic in the forthcoming US presidential election, scheduled to be held in November.

Last week young people from across Ireland hit the road for the Pro Life Campaign and Love Both's LifeLines Summer Tour.

Traveling through Munster—Limerick, Cork, and Waterford—they sparked meaningful conversations and shared the pro-life message with passion and positivity!

Our amazing volunteers didn’t just talk the talk; they walked the walk, engaging in door-to-door conversations, distributing leaflets, and even preparing Baby Boxes for families in need.

Eilís Mulroy, Pro Life Campaign spokesperson, says, “The enthusiasm of our young participants shows the vibrant spirit of the youth pro-life movement in Ireland.” 🇮🇪

Participant Rachel Mahon adds, “It’s an honour to be part of this tour. Every pro-life effort, no matter how small, can make a difference.”

They also took part in the LoveBoth 5K Your Way event on the Waterford Greenway, raising funds to support mothers in need.

Thank you to everyone who made this tour a success! ✨

If you are inspired by this youth event, and would like to directly help us to continue to put on events like this one, please consider giving a donation to help the cover the cost of food, accommodation, activities and more.

THANK YOU for your generosity!

NOTE: Seeking Accommodation Providers!

Do you or someone you know have spare rooms to assist us with housing  volunteer teams in the coming months?  We hope to have more volunteers travelling across Ireland to help spread the pro-life message in local communities.

Able to help out? Please email us below, and thank you!