Sir, – Fionola Meredith (“Northern politicians revert to type on abortion”, October 18th), shows little respect for the fact that some politicians may actually hold a belief as to the sanctity of life as well have ethical concerns regarding facilitating the termination of the potentially healthy unborn. She also suggests that the abortion law in Ireland and Northern Ireland is a mess, but fails to comment on the UK government’s unease at the current abortion limits of 24 weeks. Once abortion is available, evidence from the UK suggests that many more women will avail of the service, than envisioned in the original legislation. The reality too is that women can be pressured into terminating pregnancies by family members. – Yours, etc,