Sir, - Interviewed on RTE on March 9th in relation to the motion before the European Parliament that, interalia, induced abortion be legally available in all member states, Ms Nuala Ahern, MEP, referred to abortion as "necessary medical treatment".
Ms Ahern must be aware that under European Community law the provision of abortion services is not medical treatment but is an economic activity. Neither is abortion medical treatment in Ireland, notwithstanding the ruling of a judge of the High Court in the "C" case.
When asked on RTE Radio on March 14th why they had supported the motion in the European Parliament, the four Irish women MEPs stated that they were in favour of abortion in cases of forced pregnancy or where pregnancy posed a risk to the mother's life.
Asked, "Can induced abortion ever be necessary?" Ms Ahern and Ms McKenna stated that they believed that it could be medically necessary.
Is it not a pity that the four MEPs did not avail of expert medical opinion, in advance of the debate in Parliament? Had they done so, they might have been more committed to safeguarding unborn human life. - Yours, etc., Eamon O' Dwyer
(Professor emeritus), Lower Taylor's Hill, Galway.