PRIONSIAS DE PAOR,
Sir, - I see that Michael Noonan is calling for a live, televised debate on the abortion referendum, and is accusing Bertie Ahern of political cowardice for failing to accommodate him.
Am I the only person to find it ironic that Mr Noonan seems to see himself as some kind of figurehead of the No campaign? All the main political parties have displayed disgraceful political cowardice in the 10 years since the X Case by refusing to deal in any meaningful way with the issue of abortion. None of them has shown any leadership, preferring to prevaricate and leave any real decision-making to the courts.
I doubt very much if Mr Noonan, or any of the leaders of the main political parties, would have anything of any substance to say that might help the 7,000 Irish women who travel to the UK for abortions every year. If any voice needs to be heard in this debate, surely it is theirs. - Yours, etc.,
PRIONSIAS DE PAOR,
Esker Drive,
Lucan,
Co Dublin.
... ... * ... * ... * ... ...
Sir, - As an active and engaged citizen who is genuinely confused about the Government's exact rationale in advancing a referendum on abortion at this precise time, I am greatly disappointed by the Taoiseach's refusal to go head-to-head in a televised debate with the leader of Fine Gael, Michael Noonan, or indeed any other political leader, on the abortion referendum.
Mr Noonan was quite correct in saying in his recent Ard Fheis speech that people should be fully informed on what they were being asked to vote on next month. A direct television debate involving the Taoiseach, the ultimate voice of the Government, would contribute greatly to this end, and our democracy would rest on a sound foundation as we approach the imminent general election. - Yours, etc.,
SEAN McKIERNAN Jnr,
Virginia Road,
Bailieborough,
Co Cavan.
... ... * ... * ... * ... ...
Sir, - I write in response to Archdeacon Linney's Rite and Reason article of February 12th, and the published warning of the Adelaide Society regarding the forthcoming referendum.
The two have much in common, coming as they do from the Church of Ireland's liberal wing, but it is important to point out that there is also strong Protestant opinion in favour of a Yes vote in order to save the lives of countless unborn Irish babies.
Back in 1998, in its submission to the Interdepartmental Working Group on the Green Paper on Abortion, the Adelaide Society openly recommended the setting up of abortion facilities within the new Tallaght Hospital. This appalled many Church of Ireland members since the Adelaide Society describes itself as "a Christian and charitable organisation, set up \ to provide health services for Protestants". In 1998 Jim Ruttle and I warned the Dublin Synod that this submission could, through association, portray the Church of Ireland as being pro-abortion, but on the night, Archdeacon Linney and his supporters were having none of it.
If that wasn't warning enough regarding the route that the Church of Ireland hierarchy were taking, we can now read Archdeacon Linney's party political broadcast on behalf of the No vote cleverly wrapped up under the emotive headings of suicidal threats, the X case and the National Women's Council.
Let me assure readers that the Archdeacon of Dublin does not speak for all members of the Church of Ireland. Many of us believe that if we treat the unborn as being valueless and superfluous to God's creation, we not only act in direct contradiction to Christian teaching, but we run the danger of devaluing all forms of life, including even our own. The present amendment may not be perfectly worded, but it is wonderfully better than the limbo of the law which exists today, and it is well worthy of support. - Yours, etc.,
SUSAN PHILIPS,
Ballinacoola,
Glenealy,
Co Wicklow.
... ... * ... * ... * ... ...
Sir, - On posters around Dublin for the referendum one can see: "Pro Life Movement. To Protect Mothers and Children. Vote Yes." And: "Babies will die. Vote Pro- Life. Vote No."
I am totally bewildered by all this propaganda. If I vote Yes I could be voting No. This type of confusion is just not on.
An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, as leader of this country, should get on the television and explain what is going on and tell us simply what all this means. This is too serious a subject to be mucking about with innuendo. - Yours, etc.,
Ms TERRY HEALY,
Hartwell Green,
Kill,
Co Kildare.
... ... * ... * ... * ... ...
Sir, - Today I saw the following posters relating to the abortion referendum: "The unborn depend on you! Vote Yes". One hundred yards down the road: "Babies will die! Vote No".
Can sombody please explain? - Yours, etc.,
MAIRÉAD
NI CHEALLACHÁIN,
Kilmainham,
Dublin 8.
... ... * ... * ... * ... ...
Sir, - The Government's holding of the abortion referendum is dictated by crass political considerations. I intend to vote No on the same basis. Quits? - Yours, etc.,
OLIVER McGRANE,
Marley Avenue,
Rathfarnham,
Dublin 16.
... ... * ... * ... * ... ...
Sir, - Medb Ruane's column of February 16th on preventing corporal punishment of children is to be commended. However, this is in conflict with her previous view of supporting abortion. Is this a sign of feminist logic? Are we to assume that once the child had evaded the abortion attempt, it should no longer be a victim of domestic violence?
Confused? I am. - Yours, etc.,
ALAN McGIVERGAN,
Fairways,
Donabate,
Co Dublin.