Madam, - Mike Heelan is wrong when we writes (Dec 27th), in relation to same-sex civil unions, that we should "canvass the opinion of the Irish people on this issue and hold a referendum". On this issue, the "opinion" of the Irish people is neither here nor there.
Were glorified opinion polls consulted in the United States in the 1960s when moves were made to end segregation there and to afford African-American citizens equal rights under the law?
No - for the very simple reason that to do so would have been an unconscionable affront to the human dignity of all those involved.
Democratic rule is not best served by recourse to such simplistic devices as national referendums.
There are times when the "will of the majority" cannot, and should not, have any bearing on vitally important issues involving basic human rights and parity of esteem for all citizens.
Whether or not such a referendum would approve or reject same-sex civil unions is a moot point.
Equality in the eyes of the law is the keystone of a democratic society, and not something to be decided on an ad-hoc basis.
Surely there is a higher ideal that we must look to in relation to questions such as these - an ideal that respects the interests of all citizens equally and not one that makes second-class citizens of some. - Yours etc,
OWEN CORRIGAN, Trinity College, Dublin 2.
Madam, - In response to Mr Heelan's proposal for a referendum to be held on same-sex unions, I wish to remind him that it is the State's duty to ensure equality, not merely to satisfy the dominant social strata.
A referendum, by its very definition, is majority rule; the constitutional burden we place on our Government is to curb the excesses of this. - Yours, etc,
MICHAEL KEARY, Monaleen Heights, Castletroy, Limerick.