Sir, – Lucinda Creighton’s comment that she is not convinced of the need to legislate for the X case is further proof that Fine Gael remains at heart a conservative Catholic party.
Not for the first time the women of Ireland will continue to pay the price for this fact. Connolly’s predicted “carnival of reaction” is still alive and well, north and south of the Border. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – Dr Susan Power (November 29th) poignantly refers to the “need to amend Article 40.3.3 of the Constitution and provide for terminations where there is a risk of serious or permanent damage to the ‘health’ of the mother”.
Is it not apparent to most of the country by now that the test, whereby abortion is illegal except “where there is a real and substantial risk to the life of the mother”, as outlined in the X Case Supreme Court judgment (and referred to in Irish Medical Council Guidelines), as a generalised approach is fundamentally flawed. So, we have a badly worded Constitution, a legal test that pertains to particular cases, IMC Guidelines that are not sufficiently clear, and foot-dragging for over 20 years – not a great record.
Change should stem from skilfully catering for the various medical scenarios that arise (with respect to women’s rights), and not from legislators or judges who fail to take account of medical and humane realities. – Yours, etc,