The Pro-Life Campaign said yesterday it intends to lobby for another referendum "to restore legal protection to the unborn".
Speaking at a press conference in Dublin the group's medical adviser, Dr Berry Kiely, said the campaign would initiate a renewed public debate on the importance of clarity in the law on the right to life, "culminating at some point in another referendum."
However, she said it would be "imprudent" to seek such a referendum in advance of a wide-ranging public discussion on the matter.
Following the defeat of the 2002 referendum the situation remains precarious and unresolved, she said. "In the absence of a referendum to put things right, legislation on foot of the X case decision would have to allow induced abortion."
Dr Kiely was referring to the 1992 Supreme Court decision which allowed X, a then 14-year-old-girl, to go abroad for an abortion as she was considered at risk of suicide. The 2002 referendum was intended to neutralise the legal implications of that decision.
Dr Kiely, along with Prof William Binchy and Geraldine Martin, also presented details yesterday of a Millward Brown/IMS survey conducted last February for the Pro-Life Campaign.
The survey found that 54 per cent of Irish adults questioned would support a constitutional amendment prohibiting abortion while allowing "the existing practice of intervention to save a mother's life, in accordance with Irish medical ethics".
Fifteen per cent were opposed, with 30 per cent undecided or with no opinion.
Some 48 per cent said they thought the Dáil should enshrine the protection of the human embryo in law. Just 14 per cent said it should not, with the remainder undecided or with no opinion.
Dr Kiely said a positive aspect of the 2002 referendum, despite its result, was that it showed once and for all that it was possible to conduct the abortion debate in a calm and respectful manner.
"Clarity in the law is an indispensable component in creating a more life-affirming society. The alternative is to introduce abortion in vague and ill-defined terms, eventually leading to abortion on demand," she said.
Prof Binchy spoke of "a big movement in a number of countries" to reopen the discussion on abortion.
Survey shows 54% support new wording
The Millward Brown/IMS survey, commissioned by the Pro-Life Campaign, took place between February 6th and 22nd last. A representative sample of 1,085 adults aged over 18 was asked two questions at 60 locations throughout the Republic.
Question 1: "If the Government were to propose a constitutional amendment to prohibit abortion but allow the continuation of the existing practice of intervention to save a mother's life, in accordance with Irish medical ethics, would you support such an amendment in a referendum or not?"
Fifty four per cent said they would, 15 per cent opposed it, while 30 per cent were undecided or had no opinion. Excluding "don't knows", 78 per cent favoured the amendment, with 22 per cent opposed.
Question 2: "Currently, experimentation involving the destruction of human embryos does not take place in Ireland. Do you think the Dáil should enshrine the protection of the human embryo in law, or not?"
Forty eight per cent said Yes, 14 per cent said No, with 39 per cent undecided or with no opinion. Excluding "don't knows", it was found that 78 per cent favoured legislation, with 22 per cent against.
