‘Troubling’ rise in abortion rates in Ireland highlighted on International Women’s Day

A Senator has highlighted the rise of abortion in a Dáil debate on International Women’s Day.

Independent Senator Rónán Mullen called the abortion rates ‘troubling’, and explained how telemedicine access to abortion pills bypasses important safeguards.

Last year on International Women’s Day, a referendum to remove the word ‘mother’ from the Irish Constitution was rejected by voters.

A troubling rise

During the 2025 debate, Senator Lorraine Clifford-Lee used the date to highlight growing abortion provision in hospitals across the country, a development she described as “very welcome”.

But Senator Mullen expressed concern, stating: “like many other Irish women and men, I am troubled by the rise in Ireland’s abortion rates.

“There needs to be a refocus to reduce abortion, specifically the dangers of basing abortion on a telemedicine model when the HSE has acknowledged that meeting a woman in person increases the likelihood of the provider identifying any coercion or domestic abuse.”

‘Virtue signalling’

Mullen also criticised the legislation around surrogacy, calling out “the lack of attention to the mental health and other needs of women who are exploited through surrogacy”.

But he celebrated the “resounding ‘No’” from the public last year when they were asked whether wording recognising “the mother’s particular role and gift to Irish society” should be removed from the Constitution.

Aontú Senator Sarah O’Reilly supported Mullen’s stance, stating: “It is hard to believe that the National Women’s Council pushed to delete the word ‘mother’ from the Constitution.”

She said: “Principles, intelligent critical thinking and genuine care for the electorate trumped Government virtue signalling.”