IRISH abortion figures would be considerably lower if anti-abortion groups were not so anti-contraceptive, anti-information and anti-education, a director of the newly launched Marie Stopes Reproductive Choices Clinic said in Dublin yesterday.
Jim Loughran said fuller discussion, more counselling and better information on family planning would bring down the abortion rate. About 6,000 Irish women travel to Britain for pregnancy terminations each year.
"I cannot understand the pro-life philosophy. There is plenty of evidence from around the world that these measures mean fewer abortions," said Dr Loughran, who has been involved in the family planning movement in Ireland over the past three decades.
Two of the most effective methods of contraception were the pill and the IUD but the anti-abortion lobby was against making people aware of their effectiveness. In relation to counselling, he said a woman would often change her mind after being counselled and decide to keep the baby.
Abortion had often been a taboo word in relation to family planning but whether it was liked or not, large numbers of women did consider abortion as a method of family planning.
"The ultimate solution of the so-called abortion problem lies with the family planning movement," said Dr Loughran. Eventually, a more common-sense approach would prevail and there would be a move from the "ambivalent" approach to contraception.
Improved methods of fertility control and proper education would bring down our abortion rate.
Most Irish teenagers, he said, were using condoms as a contraceptive, which were failing and resulting in pregnancies. They should be informed of the more reliable methods.
"Condoms must account for a considerable number of our unplanned teenage pregnancies. Of course, they are invaluable in preventing sexually transmitted diseases, but the vast majority we see coming in for the morning-after pill do so after having an accident with a condom.
"We are not happy that young people are getting a broad and comprehensive sex education in school. They are being done a disservice, and often get information from their peers which is not always accurate," he said.
The Marie Stopes Reproductive Choices Clinic in Dublin, which will operate in co-operation with Mane Stopes International, will offer a full range of family-planning services including contraceptive guidance and prescriptions, health screenings, vasectomies and confidential non-directive counselling for women with unplanned pregnancies.
Women who opt to terminate their pregnancy will be offered a Marie Stopes clinic in Britain with one night's post-operative stay, as opposed to spending two eights in London with costs totalling up to £500, as is the norm. It could bring down the cost of an abortion for a woman travelling from Ireland by a third or more.
Ms Helen Axby, MSI's director of British services, said the clinics see about a third of the Irish women who seek abortions. A significant number come without any counselling and some have not even been pregnant. "They miss a period and panic and come straight over without any form of counselling," she said.
"We would be a lot happier for women to have the opportunity to talk to someone before they travel. Every day we see women who have travelled to the UK who are scared, isolated and alone. The other important thing that will now be available is post-abortion care."
The Pro-Life Campaign condemned the opening of the new Dublin clinic. "While this new company is being given the softsell treatment, the reality is that Marie Stopes is synonymous with abortion clinics," said a statement from the group.
"Clearly, the Marie Stopes clinics are taking advantage of the Abortion Referral Act to exploit the Irish abortion market."
The campaign called on the Minister for Health, Mr Noonan, "explain his attitude to Marie Stopes International and to this latest initiative".