A new poll commissioned by Amnesty International has found that two thirds of the public is in favour of decriminalising abortion in Ireland.

The survey canvassed opinions of over 1,000 people found that 67 per cent want the Government to end criminal penalties for women who have terminations. Conversely, 25 per cent are in favour of keeping the law as it stands.

71 per cent say they believe classifying abortion as a crime adds to the stigma and and distress of women who terminate their pregnancies - while 65 per cent say the law as it stands makes women have 'unsafe' abortions.

Some 81 per cent said they were in favour of access to abortion beyond the current Irish legal position.

This figure "comprises the 36 per cent who believe abortion should be allowed where the woman’s life is at risk, the pregnancy is a result of rape or incest, where the woman’s health is at risk, or where there is a fatal foetal abnormality, and the 45% who would go further and allow women to access abortion as they choose. 9% were in favour of access just where the woman’s life is at risk, the current legal position," said Brian Cox, Director at Rec C Research and Marketing.

Amnesty Ireland's Executive Director Colm O'Gorman says the poll's findings show that even among the most strident opponents of abortion - there is support for some change to the law.

"People have views they want to express"

The researchers were struck by "how few respondents decliend to answer questions or had no opinion," said Mr Cox. "Clearly people have views they want to express."

Of those surveyed, 64 per cent were unaware that it was a criminal offence in Ireland for a woman to get an abortion when her life is at risk.

Less than one tenth of all people (9 per cent) are aware that the penalty for having an unlawful abortion in Ireland is up to 14 years in prison. Just seven per cent of those surveyed agreed that this was a suitable punishment for women who have an abortion, and just 13 per cent agreed that 14 years was a suitable sentence for doctors who carry out unlawful abortions.

Close to two thirds of respondents (65 per cent) believe Ireland's abortion ban makes women have unsafe abortions, while 68 per cent say they don't believe the abortion ban will stop most women who want abortion from having one.

Opposition to criminal penalties

Despite varying views on any aspects, the survey found that a very small minority were opposed to abortion in all circumstances - with jsut seven per cent feeling no situation warranted a termination.

"Yet even in this group, only 31% agreed with the 14 year possible jail sentence for women having unlawful abortions, and only 43% with the possible 14 year jail term for doctors," said Mr O'Gorman.

"So even those with the strongest personal opposition to abortion are opposed to Ireland’s harsh criminal penalty.”