The Ireland for Life Campaign, a new anti-abortion organisation, has called for a ban on one of the morning-after pills as an abortifacient. Ireland for Life is opposed to the proposed anti-abortion amendment.
Its spokeswoman, Ms Mary Thornton, called on the Government to ban the drug levonorgestrel, which has just been banned in the Philippines. This marks a reversal of a decision there to legalise the drug, which contains a form of the hormone progesterone.
In Europe, a similar product has been sold under the trade name Levonelle. This was refused a licence by the Irish Medicines Board in 1999, but the decision was reversed last November following the Government's announcement of its plans for an abortion referendum.
Under the Protection of Human Life in Pregnancy Bill, pregnancy was defined as the implantation of an embryo in the womb, and this was explained by Government spokespeople at the time as allowing for the use of the morning-after pill.
"The Irish Government should do the same [as the Philippines]," Ms Thornton said.
"The use of abortifacients in Ireland today contravenes existing provisions of Irish law on the matter."
The drug is thought to work by preventing ovulation and fertilisation by altering the tubal transport of the sperm and/or the egg. It may, according to the manufacturers, also cause changes in the lining of the womb which discourage implantation.
It is estimated that it prevents 95 per cent of expected pregnancies if taken within 24 hours of intercourse, falling to 58 per cent if taken between 48 and 72 hours.
Because its efficacy is related to the speed with which it is taken after intercourse, it has been treated in Europe as a contraceptive rather than as an abortifacient.
Ms Thornton told The Irish Times that the manufacturers had acknowledged in Ireland the drug could act as an abortifacient. This made it illegal under Article 40.3.3 of the Constitution.
"At the moment, people are being conditioned to accept this product before the Bill is accepted at all," she said. "If there is a doubt about it the Government should give leadership and uphold the status quo until the status quo is changed."
She added that, since the announcement of the formation of the new group last week, she had been inundated with support for her stance in opposition to the proposed amendment.
"I was invited to a big meeting in Limerick last Sunday. It was attended by about 50 people, representing 14 groups in Munster and two from Dublin, as well as individuals. They all felt they should work with Ireland for Life. People are seeking a focus."
Meanwhile, Galway for Life, the group from which Ms Thornton resigned in order to found Ireland for Life, has called for a Yes vote in the forthcoming referendum. Galway for Life, of which Ms Thornton is a founder and former chairwoman, is affiliated to the Pro-Life Campaign.
In a statement its spokeswoman, Ms Eilis Grealy, said: "While one member of Galway for Life has resigned from the organisation recently, the organisation fully supports the amendment and Galway for Life will be campaigning vigorously for a Yes vote."