Sir, – Finola Meredith (Opinion Analysis, December 21st) is quite right – language is very important in the abortion debate. For example, it is not accurate to speak of “two extremes”. To be pro-choice is not an extreme position. It is not extreme to seek the legalisation of abortion in Ireland, subject to the legislative conditions and time limits applicable in most civilised countries. What is extreme is the position of those who seek to deny life-saving medical treatment to pregnant women. It is extraordinary that, 30 years after the government received attorney general’s advice on the dangers to women in the wording of the eighth amendment, we are still awaiting legislation to provide for this highly restrictive form of legal abortion.
I am glad that the Government has finally committed to legislating for the X case – and hope that we will see the Bill early in the new year. But I also hope that once we have ensured women’s lives are safeguarded in the most urgent cases, we can move on to a meaningful debate about introducing pro-choice laws to meet the real needs of the 4,000 Irish women who travel to England for abortions every year. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – Since November 10th, 2012, there have been eight issues of the Saturday edition of The Irish Times. In six of these issues, the subject matter of Breda O’Brien’s column has been the abortion issue.
On another day (December 8th) she discussed the blurring of the line between journalists’ opinions and reporting, but the focus of her piece soon emerged as – yes – abortion.
Does your columnist have to return to this topic week after week? Has she only one string to her harp? – Yours, etc,
Sir, – Desmond M Clarke in his article “Archbishops are absolutely wrong about conscience” (Opinion Analysis, December 27th) raises, perhaps unintentionally, an interesting question. The Taoiseach has said that a free “conscience” vote will not be permitted on the proposed legislation. Will there be an “opt-out” clause for conscientious objectors in our hospitals and clinics to enable them not to have to carry out abortions, as is the practice in the UK, or will everyone, legislators, midwives, doctors, etc, be forced to act against their conscience?
I think the Government and all concerned should ponder this very important aspect of the debate. – Yours, etc,