Sir, – A number of commentators wish to present the disagreements on the Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill 2013 as a church versus state issue, but it is not that simple.
I come to the debate as a parent of a child with Down syndrome. Through that and my involvement with Ablevison Ireland, an organisation that explores the creativity of those who are less abled, I have become aware of the rich influence and beneficial impact people with intellectual disabilities have on society. Our communities would be a lot poorer without their presence. However, this may not always be apparent to the expectant parent when a diagnosis of developmental problems is given. In many cases the news and its implications are a burden that can sometimes seem insurmountable.
In other jurisdictions, such mental trauma has been accepted as a reason to have an abortion. It is to be hoped this will not become the case here in Ireland, although I fear if suicide ideation is accepted as a reason to have a termination then in time this will happen. With a slight majority in favour of this clause according to the Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI poll (Home News, June 13th) I believe the people should be asked their opinion through a referendum.
I trust this Government to ensure that the floodgates to abortion in such circumstances will not open during its watch. However, I would be very fearful for the future. – Yours, etc,
MICHAEL O’DOWD,
Chord Road,
Drogheda, Co Louth.
Sir, – “I am a Catholic who is Taoiseach, not a Catholic Taoiseach”. A modern state comes before an ancient religion. Will Enda Kenny be remembered as the first Taoiseach to declare Ireland a democracy as opposed to the theocracy that has been accepted by previous taoisigh? – Yours, etc,
JL BYRNE,
Ulverton Road,
Dalkey, Co Dublin.
Sir, – I refer to the letter (June 13th) co-signed by legal academics and others on the question of abortion for fatal foetal abnormality. They argue that abortion could be justified in certain circumstances “given that these unborn will not live once when born”.
Alas, the correspondents miss the moral issue at stake. There is a vast difference between dying and killing. – Yours, etc,
JA BARNWALL,
St Patrick’s Road, Dublin 9.