The number of Irish women travelling to the UK for abortions has fallen in the last year, figures released today reveal.
British Department of Health statistics show just over 5,000 women from the Republic travelled to Britain last year for an abortion.
According to Ireland's Pro-Life campaign, this is down from over 5,500 in 2005.
Those between 20 and 24 were the most prominent age group with over 1,500 women making the journey to British clinics in 2006.
"The Pro-Life Campaign welcomes the reduction in the abortion rate," Pro-Life's Dr Ruth Cullen said.
"It indicates the tide is moving in the right direction and that a growing trend towards abortion is not inevitable."
"While any reduction in the abortion rate is good news, nonetheless, the figures remain extremely high and leave no room for complacency.
"Some argue the reduction in the abortion rate may be because more Irish women opt for abortion in other European countries.
"However, there is no statistical evidence to substantiate such claims," she said.
According to the figures, there were 7,436 abortions to residents of foreign countries in 2006, principally from Ireland, north and south.
This is down around 500 on the previous year's figures.
The majority of those were in the 20-24 age bracket, with 39 in the Republic aged under 16, 1,370 between 25 and 30, and 200 over 40 years of age.