So how do you answer the questions children ask - prompted by the media and campaigning blitz on an issue most people find difficult? Kathryn Holmquist has some suggestions
Many adults are feeling frustration, anger, sadness and - while it may seem churlish to admit it - boredom at being asked to address the issue of abortion yet again. But the subject is impossible to avoid, not just for adults, but children too.
With the age of knowledge about issues like sex, suicide and rape getting younger and younger, parents are finding themselves in the painful position of having to answer the kind of questions they wish their children didn't have to think about.
What do you say to your children when they pipe up from the back of the car and ask: "What's an abortion, daddy?" How do you respond when your child sees confusing posters that say, "Vote Yes - Protect women and children" and "Vote No - Babies will die"?
"These are issues that a child's mind cannot encompass," says Ms Marie Murray, director of psychology at St Vincent's Hospital, Fairview.
This article, infused with the thoughtful advice of a psychologist experienced in family therapy, is meant to provide neutral guidance that all parents can use, no matter what their personal beliefs.
"What do you say when they ask what's abortion, what's rape and what's suicide?" Ms Murray asks. "Such is the world in which we live and in which our children live, that we, as parents must perform damage limitation exercises in relation to the levels of inappropriate material placed before the child. Once again children are being exposed to material that isn't in their best interests or which they cannot comprehend."
Parents will of course speak to their own children according to their own value systems and beliefs. However, the manner in which they do so will have an impact on the child.
Begin with an understanding of your child's age and stage of intellectual and emotional development. What is your particular child's capacity to understand?
Some children may have not have noticed the raging public debate and may not be curious, in which case don't invite trouble by asking your child questions. Other children may be extremely curious or upset and need your help. The first thing you need to do is to find out how much your child already knows or thinks they know. They may have drawn conclusions from seeing posters or friends may have offered the schoolyard versions. You may be happy or unhappy with the information they have but the most important thing is to find out what they know.
You also need to find out if your child is upset or afraid as a result of this information or misinformation. Your child may even be feeling embarrassed to talk about it and ashamed that they know these secrets of the adult world in the same way that children are often embarrassed to talk to their parents about sex. Once you know where your child is at you need to let them know it is okay to ask questions. When they do, answer their questions in an honest, sincere and succinct way that provides just enough information to allay fears but no more than the young person is ready for.
However, if you are caught off guard, do not feel pressured to answer right away. Think about the language in which you will discuss it before you sit down with your child for a heart-to-heart. Ask yourself what is the likely impact on your child of the words that surround the debate; words like suicide save, protect, rape and kill. Parents will want to discuss this in a manner that is sensitive, gentle, compassionate and age appropriate. So how do you do this?
Answer the young person's question with calm and respect for their question. Praise them for asking you because parents like to help children to understand important issues.
Remember that a simple answer is often all that is required. There is always the danger of giving far more information than the child was seeking.
Before defining any word for a child ask them what they think the word means. Take that as the basis of your reply.
For example, Ms Murray suggests that suicide can be described as "a really sad and very unusual situation in which someone doesn't not feel at all happy and even wants to die". Rape can be described as "when someone attacks and really hurts you". Abortion may be described as, "when people decide, for different reasons that a baby shouldn't be allowed to grow in its mummy's tummy and that is a very sad thing for anyone to have to think about, which is why everyone should be very kind to anyone with this worry".
Your child may also want to know why adults are fighting about abortion.
Explain to your child that everyone wants to do what they think is right for mothers and babies but they have different ideas about that is.
At the end of the day as with any value and belief that you hold you will have to share it with your child in a way that is gentle, respectful, sensitive and for the child's higher good.
As a parent, one of your greatest fears may be that your child will hurt by knowing too young about words like abortion, rape and suicide. Don't worry - your child will not be hurt as long as you, the parent, are available to help your child deal with the information.
• Marie Murray will be discussing this issue further on Today with Pat Kenny on RTÉ Radio 1 on Thursday, 11 a.m.