Sir, - I am growing tired of a body of opinion epitomised by a quote from the chief of the IFPA in an article headed "Government criticised for `inaction' on abortion" (The Irish Times, August 18th), which implies that the approaches of a constitutional prohibition on abortion and the provision of real alternatives to abortion are mutually exclusive. Logic suggests otherwise. Plato said: "What the law permits, the law encourages". If abortion is not prohibited in Irish law, women will see it as a responsible and socially approved solution to crisis pregnancy. They will feel under pressure to "choose" it.
In a society where abortion is legal the responsibility for pregnancy is placed solely on the woman's shoulders. Situations arise whereby the father of the child offers to pay for an abortion but not child support. Women are often accused of trying to "trap" a man. They are resented for having given birth to a child in less than perfect circumstances. Women feel isolated in their decision to have the child and many opt for abortion as a result of social pressure, not free choice.
The challenge facing society today is to ensure that every woman in a crisis pregnancy feels supported by an understanding and welcoming society. State resources need to be allocated to provide support services for women in crisis pregnancy. But if the law does not support women in having their babies, in terms of a prohibition of abortion, many women and children will be prevented from availing of practical support due to attitudes of social exclusion. In short, if the Government is to make a genuine attempt to tackle the problem of abortion it must address it at constitutional level by holding a referendum and at a ground level by providing funding for organisations such as Cura and Life. - Yours, etc.,
Lisa Tierney, Ballina Road, Swinford, Co Mayo.