Peace Without Poison

McAleese (1997-2011), and incumbent Michael D. Higgins (assumed office in 2011), as well asprime ministers Jack Lynch (1966-1973 and 1977-1979), Charles Haughey (1981-1982, 1982-1982, 1987-1992), Garret FitzGerald (1981-1982, 1982-1987), Albert Reynolds (1992-1994),John Bruton (1994-1997), Bertie Ahern (1997-2008), Brian Cowen (2008-2011) and incumbentEnda Kenny (since 2011).Ireland’s contraceptive prevalence rate shows that the fertility decline was accomplished withoutthe help of contraceptives. It also shows that since the beginning of the 21 st century the Irishgovernment under the leadership of Prime Minister Betie Ahern has made genuine efforts toincrease the use of contraceptives to a level high enough to allow the retirement of covertchemical sterilization through fluoridated water. That effort, however, has been unfortunatelyabandoned by Prime Minister Brian Cowen.The historical record shows that Ireland’s abortion rate has never exceeded 10% and is thereforea non-factor in the fertility decline.Ireland has been rewarded for its war on fertility with affluence. As the data shows, Ireland’s percapita GDP did not start explosive growth until replacement level fertility was reached in 1989.Ireland has recently crossed into stage four of the demographic transition.367 | P a g e