A chara, - Your Chief Political Correspondent, Denis Coghlan, was more than a little disingenuous in his article of November 19th when he berated Brian Cowen for deciding to ultimately refer the abortion issue back to the electorate.
If he personally favours the legislative route, as he is perfectly entitled to do, then he should say so clearly. However, it is quite clear to a great many people on both "sides" that the decisive "No" vote in the 1992 referendum was made up both of people who were against the proposal because it provided for limited abortion, and people who opposed it because it was too limited. To suggest otherwise is simply naive. To proceed now to legislate for abortion in that knowledge would be an outrageous insult to democracy, though it would naturally be welcomed by the pro-choice movement.
Given the Rainbow Government's complete inaction on the issue, Mr Cowen is to be praised for having the courage to seek to deal with the issue by way of a lengthy process of detailed discussion and consultation, after which it will eventually be put to the Irish people to decide, one way or another. Whether the referendum seeks to amend the Constitution or seeks approval for a Bill, and the mechanics by which it does so, are largely irrelevant, and surely not that difficult to understand.
The referendum process which Mr Coghlan calls "confusing with complexity" is utilised almost monthly by the Swiss and they have no problem with it. Does he believe we are more stupid or incapable of understanding a simple "yes" or "no" question?
I find it much more difficult to understand the hysteria emanating from some people at the thought of a referendum. What possibly can they fear from the most pure form of democracy - unless the truth, perhaps? - Is mise,
From David Carroll
Bridge Street, Boyle, Co Roscommon.