Madam, - The issue of the Irish taxpayer funding human embryo research, in so far as it has been raised at Oireachtas level, has nothing to do with "religious consensus".
Furthermore, reputable scientific opinion in Ireland, as evidenced by your own Letters page, makes a strong and reasoned case against human embryo research and in favour of adult stem-cell research. Indeed, the Medical Council's ethical guidelines prohibit human embryo research.
Some member-states, such as Germany, do not permit the creation of supernumerary embryos because of the very situation which now arises.
It is not a question of an Irish Minister blocking this research funding option for others who don't share a "theological position", as claimed by Proinsias De Rossa, MEP (November 22nd). What we are asked to do is to join in funding such research by other states, while prohibiting it in our own. If any member-state wants to carry out such research, then let them fund it themselves.
Under the EU Scrutiny Act 2002, proposals for EU draft regulations and directives - and by inference all draft legislation - are required to be sent to the European Scrutiny Sub-Committee of the Oireachtas in advance. As chairman of that sub-committee I was appalled to find that no such referral had been made on this proposal, which was discussed by Ministers behind closed doors. Yet the European Parliament was given time to consider this draft decision in some detail. The sub-committee nonetheless sent for the document and referred it for scrutiny by the Enterprise Committee of the Oireachtas (this being the committee to which the Minister responsible relates). This committee recommended against the draft decision.
I accept that this is a very sensitive area. For that reason, there should be a Green Paper published setting out the issues involved so that the public, and members of the Oireachtas, can make informed decisions.
There are two legislative streams, the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers, the latter being accountable to national parliaments. The European Parliament made its side of the decision by open debate, but the second chamber, i.e. the Council of Ministers, has the last say on this issue.
Ireland's Minister, Mary Harney, TD did not seek the approval of the Oireachtas. So far there have been "statements" in the Seanad following the discovery of this draft decision. There was no Oireachtas debate.
This is totally unacceptable. If Mary Harney has a case to make she should make it to the Dáil. TDs should be given the same opportunity MEPs were given - perhaps more so, since we will be asked to vote the funds for such research if it is approved.
Mr De Rossa says it would be "morally wrong for Irish politicians to dogmatically rule out embryo research". It is the Tánaiste who has behaved dogmatically and it is wholly unacceptable. Lastly, it seems likely that the Council of Ministers will not approve this proposed decision; at least four member-states may carry a blocking vote. The Oireachtas should use the time that follows to give the Government the benefit of its considered views on this important issue. The Dáil has a central role to play and must not allow itself to be sidelined. - Yours, etc.,
GAY MITCHELL, TD, Dáil Éireann, Dublin 2.
Madam, - Will the conviction adversaries of stem cell research resulting in the destruction of human embryos refuse therapies developed from such morally repugnant experiments, should they require them in the future? - Yours, etc.,
ADRIAN CARROLL, Gladstone Street, Clonmel, Co Tipperary.