Sir, - In her column of June 22nd, Breda O'Brien criticises Doctors For Choice for supporting the use of the E112 scheme to fund women having abortions in England.
A core value of our group, and indeed of most doctors, is that all Irish people should have access to comprehensive reproductive health care regardless of their ability to pay. At present, patients who can afford the approximately €1,000 required exercise their right to make a personal reproductive choice and travel to England to have an abortion. This numbers approximately 7,000 Irish women every year. It is not acceptable that this valid personal choice is open only to affluent women.
Ms O'Brien also says taxpayers' money should be put "to more positive use". Surely ensuring equity of access to health care is the most positive way to spend taxpayers' money?
Ms O'Brien goes on to say we should not export our abortion problem. As doctors we could not agree more. It is unacceptable that Irish women must travel to England to avail of a medical service that should be their right in Ireland.
Abortion is a choice large numbers of Irish women are making every day. It is a choice that should be respected and made part of standard medical care in Ireland. - Yours, etc.,
Dr MARY FAVIER, Doctors For Choice, Dublin 2.