Sir, - The statement by Senator John Dardis that the Progressive Democrats are not in favour of another abortion referendum (The Irish Times, November 6th) will be welcomed by many, perhaps even the Taoiseach. I opposed the original 1983 referendum because I felt the wording was unclear. The interpretation by the Supreme Court was certainly not what SPUC members and supporters expected.
Before the 1983 referendum mothers were safe in this country. There was no question of necessary medical treatment being denied to a pregnant woman. Doctors knew what was lawful. Legal abortion being available in the UK has meant the abortion needs of Irish women are catered for there. Unfortunately, the bodies of new-born babies are found now and then - the post-delivery method of disposal of the child of an unwanted pregnancy. Even now we are ill-prepared to look at the possible extent of infanticide in the past.
Apparently, the Taoiseach feels he has to have a referendum because he promised one. We will forgive him if he changes his mind. Rather than having a referendum, members of Dail and Seanad Eireann can bring in legislation on abortion and if this is found in practice to be other than that which we intended, we can reconvene immediately to rectify the matter. Another constitutional referendum could yield an unexpected result again in the Supreme Court.
After working in medicine for several decades I can never remember even hearing of a pregnancy being terminated here because a woman threatened suicide. It has not happened in all the years since the X-case decision, despite being deemed lawful if the mother's life was at risk. Why is it likely to start happening now?
Mr Brian Lenihan's committee has done a thorough job on this issue. Now the other members of the Oireachtas can play their part by bringing in legislation to safeguard medical practice as it affects the pregnant woman and her child. - Yours, etc.,
Senator Mary Henry, MD, Seanad Eireann, Baile Atha Cliath 2.