Madam, - My simple requirement of candidates who seek my vote at the next general election is that they have a basic respect for all human life from the moment of conception to natural death.
As a grandson of the late Prof Michael Tierney, a co-founder of the Fine Gael party, I am sad that the current leadership of this party lacks moral conviction with its policy to form a possible government with the Labour Party. I think, contrary to your Fintan O'Toole's recently expressed view (Opinion, January 9th), that Enda Kenny blew his opportunity to show off his moral conviction and leadership by engaging with the Labour Party. It is a matter of record that during the 2002 Labour Party conference a majority of the delegates passed a motion to seek a change in legislation to allow for legal and unrestricted abortion rights in Ireland.
I think when individuals advocate full legal abortion rights they qualify their respect for human life. They may respect some human life but not all of it and this is what makes me sad to think that the Fine Gael party would associate themselves with such a group of people. - Yours, etc,
MARTIN J. TIERNEY, Marlborough Road, Glenageary, Co Dublin.