Thanks! By the way, I was asked what was the exact question of the 2002 protection of human life referendum?
That link is brilliant; especially the maps of Irish referendums - which were extremely helpful. (and say alot)
Ehh.. That's somewhat complicated; to say the least.
Ireland is one of the few countries in western Europe where abortion is still illegal except when the mother's life is threatened. The referendum was designed to further these restrictions, so that women couldn't use claims that they were sucicidal in order to get an abortion.
The referendum was a demand of a couple Independant TDs (MPs) which had been propping up the Fianna Fail - Progressive Democrats minority goverment.
It narrowly failed; probably only due to opposition from some really hard-core pro-life groups such as the strongly catholic youth defense, which wanted more restrictions; mainly a ban on the birth control pill; which wasn't part of the referendum (and is totally legal here).
It's worth noting (and not very surprising) where the referendum was strongly defeated (ie. The Cities; and very badly in the middle class areas) and where it passed. (Everywhere else)
