Binchy says voters being ignored

THE Pro-Life Campaign has accused the leaders of the main parties of lacking coherence and intellectual honesty in their attitude to another abortion referendum.

Repeating its call for a new referendum, the campaign yesterday assailed the leaders for "prevarication" on the issue. "What we have so far is a failure to grapple with the issue of abortion, an unwillingness to meet the wishes of the people," said Prof William Binchy, legal adviser to the campaign.

Prof Binchy said majorities among the supporters of all parties had indicated their preference for a referendum, but the politicians were not listening.

Challenged to say who these politicians were, he named only two Fianna Fail representatives, Mr John O'Donoghue TD and Senator Michael O'Kennedy.

The ProLife Campaign had written to all TDs for their views, and their replies would be published before polling day, he added.

Reviewing the stance of each of the party leaders in turn, Prof Binchy said most were "remarkably unclear". The Taoiseach had said he was against both a referendum and further legislation. But "doing nothing" was a "reckless policy" because it meant there was no legal barrier to abortions in the State.

The Tanaiste was in favour of legislation to give effect to the 1992 Supreme Court judgment on abortion, but Mr Spring was "less than full" in his description of what this should involve, Prof Binchy said. "The Labour leadership are saying that if they serve in government again, they would wish to see abortion allowed in Irish hospitals." Although the Fianna Fail leader, Mr Ahern, has offered the possibility of a referendum, Prof Binchy accused him of a "lack of clarity".