Sir, - Prof O'Leary's response (September 15th) to Medb Ruane's thoughtful contribution to the debate on abortion is to praise the Northern Ireland Assembly for its recent decision to oppose the extension to Northern Ireland of the 1967 Abortion Act.
Those of us who attended the debate in the Assembly were struck by the unanimity of all the women speakers. In the words of the Ulster Unionist Joan Carson, "It is ironic that a man, who will never have to go through childbirth or face the personal consequences of unwanted pregnancy, is proposing the motion.
"The 1967 legislation was made by men for women and any future changes need to be made in consultation with the women of Northern Ireland."
It is a pity that men like Prof O'Leary insist on pontificating rather than listening. - Yours, etc.,
Dr Margaret Ward, Park Road, Belfast 7.