New poll findings show strong public backing for the retention of the three-day reflection period before an abortion.

Of those who expressed an opinion in the Amárach Research poll, 55.3% voiced support for retention of the three-day wait, while 44.7% favoured its removal.

The results come as a Sinn Féin bill to abolish the waiting period passed a preliminary vote in the Dáil, 86 to 70, shortly before the summer recess.

Commenting on the findings, Pro Life Campaign spokesperson Eilís Mulroy said public support for retaining the three-day reflection period has been evident for months and, if anything, appears to be strengthening.

“Replies to parliamentary questions show that, over a five-year period, 10,534 women did not return to proceed with an abortion after the three-day period had elapsed. That’s an incredible figure and one that, in our view, proves the life-saving impact of the waiting period. We hear from women all the time about how important the reflection period was to them in providing that extra space to think through such a profound and life-altering decision”.