Sir, – The article by Ann McElhinney and Phelim McAleer ("Abortion campaigners should be careful about what they wish for", Opinion & Analysis, November 10th), advocating an "honest and open" debate, presented all abortions as happening later in pregnancy when foetuses are already well formed.
This is what tends to happen in those countries where abortion is expensive and hard to access, such as in the US. However, there is a very different model in Britain where most Irish women access their abortions. Only 2 per cent of abortions in Britain are privately funded; abortion is available relatively easily and free on the NHS and, as a result, later abortions are rare.
In fact, some 92 per cent of abortions are carried out before the 12th week of pregnancy – ie, during the stage when nature ends many pregnancies.
More and more abortions are carried out using the abortion pill because it is so safe and effective.
In 2014, 80 per cent of all abortions in Scotland used this method. The pills, which can be used up to the ninth week of pregnancy, cause an early miscarriage.
When abortion is easily available, some women will still need later abortions. Research shows that, for the majority, this is either because they are very young and do not recognise the signs and symptoms of pregnancy or they are older and think the symptoms are of menopause. For the rest, it is because of a tragedy in their life – such as a diagnosis of a severe or fatal foetal abnormality or a partner becoming violent in the course of the pregnancy.
Less than 2 per cent of abortions in Britain are after 20 weeks, although the proportion of Irish women having abortions after 20 weeks is double the norm for British women.
An "honest and open" examination of the evidence would indicate that if Irish Times readers would like to see fewer later abortions, they should insist on abortion being available easily and free on the health service. – Yours, etc,
GORETTI HORGAN,
School of Criminology,
Politics and Social Policy,
Ulster University.
Sir, – The article by Ann McElhinney and Phelim McAlee was upsetting to read, but of great importance in the context of arguments being put forward regarding changing the Eight Amendment. Congratulations are due to The Irish Times for publishing it. I, for one, had begun to fear bias within your newspaper. Now my doubts are quelled. – Yours, etc,
SYLVIA MULCAHY,
Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.