The number of women giving Irish addresses at abortion clinics in England and Wales has fallen by more than 1,000 since 2001, according to figures issued yesterday by the British department of health.
In 2005, Irish addresses were given by 5,585 women at British abortion clinics, making it the fifth year in a row that the figure fell. In 2001, the total was 6,673.
The statistics also show the number of abortions on teenagers has decreased significantly, from 903 in 2001 to 655 in 2005, while there has been an increase in the number of women over 40 giving Irish addresses - from 257 in 2001 to 280 in 2005.
Recent data released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) showed there has been a decline in births to teenagers over the same period, from 3,087 in 2001 to 2,427 in 2005 - a fall of 660.
Olive Braiden, chairwoman of the Crisis Pregnancy Agency, said it was "heartening that the numbers of women travelling to the UK for abortion procedures is decreasing - though we should keep in mind that a small number of women could be travelling to other countries.
"However, in light of the fact that the number of teenagers giving birth is also decreasing, it is fair to say that the situation is improving - that the State's response to crisis pregnancy has greatly improved on the situation here five years ago."
The Irish Family Planning Association's director of counselling services, Rosie Toner, said the decrease represented the most significant year-on-year change in abortion statistics and the lowest figure since 1997, when the total was 5,340.
However, she said the figures were not an accurate reflection of women who travelled abroad for abortions, as the family planning association had noted "significant growth" in women travelling to EU states such as the Netherlands, Spain and Belgium in the past 18 months.
"The euro/sterling difference now makes accessing terminations in England very expensive. Access to the internet as well as cheaper, more frequent air fares around Europe have made travelling beyond England a real option for women," Ms Toner said.
The Pro-Life Campaign, an anti-abortion group, welcomed the overall decrease. In a statement, it said: "The Pro-Life Campaign published opinion polls on life-related issues over a week ago and noted with satisfaction that resistance to legalised abortion and support for the protection of unborn life had strengthened.
"Maybe this has something to do with changing attitudes resulting in these positive improvements."
Number of women giving Irish addresses at abortion clinics in England and Wales over the past five years:
2001 - 6,673
2002 - 6,522
2003 - 6,320
2004 - 6,217
2005 - 5,585