Sir, - The Taoiseach, Mr Bruton, has finally washed his hands of the abortion issue, ruling out both legislation and a referendum to resolve the legal quagmire opened up by the X Case judgment. His aversion to the prospect of legislation is fully justified, since this would entail legalising abortion in this country. His suggestion, on the other hand, that the most humane response is to leave the law unaltered is quite extraordinary. There is simply no getting away from the fact that abortion is constitutionally legal in Ireland. The Supreme Court's interpretation of Article 40.3.3 cannot be ignored, as Mr Bruton seems to suggest. On the contrary, the Supreme Court's interpretation is binding on all courts, and makes abortion a constitutional right, albeit in specified circumstances.
The leader of Fianna Fail, Mr Ahern, would prefer to keep us guessing about his views, promising to do "something" about the issue, which would involve a referendum and/or legislation, in other words, he is hedging his bets, hoping to fob off voters on this divisive but fundamental human rights issue. Well, Mr Ahern should think again. The most recent abortion poll (IMS/ ProLife Campaign) shows 60 per cent of Irish people (excluding don't knows) opposed to abortion in all circumstances, and 62 per cent in favour of a referendum. Furthermore, a remarkable majority of Fianna Fail voters (70 per cent according to an Irish Times/ MRBI poll published on April 4th) are in favour of a referendum.
Mr Ahern's refusal to announce his intentions on abortion in advance of the election is unfair to voters and can only be interpreted as a cynical "wait and see" tactic. It is difficult to see how he can justify - to himself or to anyone else - his ambivalence on this issue. Like it or not, abortion is an election issue, and for a political leader to deliberately adopt an ambiguous position on it is dishonest and cowardly. Yours. etc..
Mount Prospect Avenue.
Clontarf,
Dublin 3.