Sir, - Your Editorial of December 3rd seems to suggest that the Government's proposed abortion referendum should be withdrawn on the basis that a possible numerical victory would not reflect a broad national consensus of Ireland's middle-ground.
Such a consensus would be desirable on any issue, and particularly so in this case. However, such a consensus is probably Utopian on any issue of controversy. To seek to govern and to legislate solely on the basis of such desired consensus would be naive and irresponsible. It would often result in nothing being done. For too long nothing has been done about this particular issue.
A government must lead and make difficult decisions. To do otherwise would be to abdicate responsibility.
One would like to think that at least some of the time such decisions are based on principles rather than on mere expediency. Yours, etc. -
David McDonagh, Hume Street, Dublin 2.