History Contraception in the Republic of Ireland

1 history

1.1 papal encyclicals
1.2 ban on sales 1935–1978
1.3 reforms allowing sales

history
papal encyclicals

the encyclical casti connubii (1930) followed industrial production , widespread use of condoms prevent fertilisation. specified:

any use whatsoever of matrimony exercised in such way act deliberately frustrated in natural power generate life offence against law of god , of nature, , indulge in such branded guilt of grave sin

following marketing of pill in 1960s, pontifical commission on birth control set up. has been cited there majority in favour of contraception, , implied in wording of papal encyclical.. encyclical humanae vitae (1968) decreed artificial contraception not morally permissible.

ban on sales 1935–1978

owning , using contraceptive devices , pills not prohibited. however, 1935, illegal sell or import them. during time loophole used, device such condom not offered sale , citizen invited treat buy it. people made donations family planning associations obtain contraception gift . reality of population contraception unobtainable. few outlets wanted stock product bring attention of police or public opprobrium.

in 1971 senator mary robinson (who later become president) attempted introduce first bill proposing liberalise law on contraception seanad, not allowed reading, not discussed. on 31 march number of supporters managed grounds of leinster house , broke building register protests. on 22 may 1971 group of irish feminists including mary kenny travelled belfast rail , made return dublin connolly, laden contraceptive devices, statement on illogicality of law. provoked criticism roman catholic church in ireland; thomas ryan, bishop of clonfert, said ... never before, , not since penal times catholic heritage of ireland subjected many insidious onslaughts on pretext of conscience, civil rights , women s liberation.

in 1973, supreme court affirmed there constitutional right marital privacy allowed use of contraceptives; number of bills proposed, failed make statute book. indeed, taoiseach @ time, jack lynch, admitted @ 1 point issue had been put on long finger .

reforms allowing sales

in 1978 health (family planning) bill introduced charles haughey. bill limited provision of contraceptives bona fide family planning or adequate medical reasons . controversial part of bill contraceptives dispensed pharmacist on presentation of valid medical prescription practising doctor. wrongly stated recipient of prescription had married, legislation did not technically require such terms, bona fide family planning have made non-marital use unlikely authorised. reason compromise strong position of conservative elements in irish society @ time, particularly roman catholic church made difficult government provide more liberal law. contraception not seen politicians vote-getter @ time. haughey famously described 1979 act irish solution irish problem . on 1 november 1980 act came operation order of minister.

the health (family planning) (amendment) act, 1985 liberalised law allowing condoms , spermicides sold people on 18 without having present prescription; sale limited categories of places named in act. health (family planning) (amendment) act, 1992 repealed section 4 of 1979 act, amended in 1985, , continued provision of contraceptives without prescription, allowing sale individuals on age of 17. of 2010, 1992 act , health (family planning) (amendment) act of 1993 main irish legislation on contraceptive , family planning services.

as allowing sales, ireland s censorship laws had reformed allow contraceptives advertised or mentioned. late 1976 censorship of publications board had banned irish family planning association s booklet family planning . health (family planning) act, 1979 deleted references unnatural prevention of conception in 1929 , 1949 censorship acts, allowing publications information contraception distributed in ireland. regulation of information (services outside state termination of pregnancies) act, 1995 modified 1929, 1946 , 1967 acts allow publications information services provided outside state termination of pregnancies . however, no publications advocate or promote abortions permitted.

a small percentage of irish population still opposes use of artificial contraception within marriage, in line humanae vitae, including sports personality mickey harte. conservative brandsma review magazine has editorialised against use of artificial contraception.