Sir, - Your Editorial of October 3rd on the subject of abortion suggests that a "sane and workable Irish solution may be on offer". It may be workable, courtesy of medical facilities abroad, but it is hardly "sane". Will it not mean that a child made pregnant by a criminal act must go abroad for an abortion, probably paid for by the "caring" State which forbids the procedure on its own territory?
I really would like to see a substantial reduction in the number of Irish abortions. We need much wider knowledge and easier availability of contraception for both males and females, including young teenagers, better childcare arrangements, comprehensive services for children with illnesses and disabilities, more responsibility placed on absent fathers and an inclusive attitude towards all lone parents.
Given all this, a woman who finds herself in a crisis pregnancy should have the benefit of non-directive counselling and, if she feels unable to go through with the pregnancy, a safe, early, local termination. If women were not able to seek terminations abroad, dangerous illegal abortions and concealed births would still be happening in Ireland. - Yours, etc.,
Irene E. Allen, Florence Terrace, Bray, Co Wicklow.