Sir, – John B Reid (April 26th) maintains that because the practicalities of the issue are difficult the entire plan to legislate for the X case is “completely unworkable and must be dropped”.
It is truly breathtaking, the contemptuous disregard in which some Irish people – not to mention successive Irish governments – hold the constitutional rights of their fellow citizens. There is now, and has been since the X case was decided, a constitutional right to abortion in Ireland.
If the proposed legislation is impractical then the solution is simply to advance better legislation, not to trample on the constitutional rights of Irish women. – Yours, etc,
Dr OWEN CORRIGAN,
Gill Street, Limehouse,
London, England.
Sir, – Jennifer O’Connell (“Forcing suicidal pregnant women to prove they are serious is cruel and dangerous” April 24th) takes great licence in denigrating people who share a similar view to herself but arrive at a different conclusion regarding the welfare of mother and baby. This “group of people” believes abortion in such crisis circumstances is not an appropriate treatment option. So do the many, many psychiatrists who have given expert opinion to Dáil committees.
I work in an area of mental health in which the family, friends, professionals and voluntary organisations, without exception, take the risk of suicide very seriously and never consider it as an option in a crisis. We are constantly on alert for signs that could be a clue to the intention of the person. On rare occasions we fail to detect that sign and the person takes their own life leaving behind devastating consequences at all levels.
From my experience, from research that I have reviewed and from Government policy on mental health the two essential ingredients that people experiencing mental stress/illness need to help change their circumstances are hope and recovery. It is evident that people in crisis, no different to pregnant women, need to believe that hope will give them a positive destination and take them out of the black hole they are in. “Talking therapy”, whether it is with two or six doctors, helps in a crisis situation and is the very reason for having a pregnant woman or anyone else with suicidal thoughts go through a process with doctors/counsellors. Resilience is then what is found deep down inside by women or men who do overcome very difficult situations and go on to recovery from their crisis.
So, contrary to the headline on Jennifer O’Connell’s article, there is no forcing pregnant women to prove they are serious. The groups that come to a different conclusion to O’Connell accept that women do experience a life-shattering event with an unwanted pregnancy; but what sets these groups apart from their detractors, is the belief that outcomes can be changed positively even when there is a risk of suicide. – Yours, etc,
EVELYN CAWLEY, MSc
Mental Health,
Upper Kindlestown,
Delgany, Co Wicklow.
Sir, – As a woman, I’ve always felt angry how my life in this country is so simplistically equated by so many with a foetus.
The shocking circumstances of Savita Halappanavar’s death and the continued attempts by Fine Gael politicians to shamefully delay and restrict legislation endorsed by two referendums have made me feel something else.
I’m still angry that should my health be endangered by any future pregnancy, termination would not even be a consideration, let alone were I to suffer the unimaginable fate of women pregnant by rape. But now I feel powerless, I feel threatened, and I feel unsafe living in this country as a woman of child-bearing years. The latter term itself is evidently how the State and those who hold anti-choice views would see my principal purpose on earth – no more than a vessel, no matter what the cost. – Yours, etc,
LOUISE O’LEARY,
Mespil Estate, Dublin 4.
Sir, – How many psychiatric specialists does it take to investigate a woman, who is in the depths of despair and wants to take her own life because she is can’t legally call a halt to her pregnancy in Ireland? Six. One to investigate the woman’s mind and motives and five more who have to make up their own minds on what is going on in the mind of the woman, who is some place no man has ever been and very few women will ever be.
I personally think it should be the woman’s choice, end of story. – Yours, etc,
KEVIN DEVITTE,
Mill Street,
Westport, Co Mayo.
Sir, – Suicidal ideation can be associated with mental illness and mental illness can lead to involuntary psychiatric committal and involuntary treatment.
If abortion is now to be regarded as a treatment for suicidal ideation, any legislation for abortion must clarify precisely how abortions can be carried out on women who are of unsound mind. Will the decision be one for her doctors and family, as with other treatments in those circumstances? How will the views of other family members be taken into account? What will the situation of the doctor be if the woman subsequently recovers and regrets the abortion? And what will the doctors’ position be if an abortion is not carried out and the woman does in fact subsequently take her own life?
These questions require an answer before any legislation can be drafted. – Yours, etc,
FIONA MOCKLER,
Ballyroan Park, Dublin 16.
Sir, – An interesting possibility arises from the Taoiseach’s insistence (News, April 25th) that a three-line whip will apply in relation to the upcoming Protection of Maternal Life Bill.
If, as reported, Deputy Lucinda Creighton breaks ranks with her party when it comes to a division on the legislation, we will lose our Minister of State for European Affairs almost precisely half-way through our European Council presidency?
The instability caused by that job loss would surely raise questions about our six-month presidency slogan: “For stability, jobs and growth”. – Yours, etc,
CATHAL MALONE,
Armagh Road,
Newry, Co Down.