A chara, – Joyce Arthur claims Canada’s abortion rates are “fairly low” and hopes that Canada’s regime of unrestricted abortion at all stages of pregnancy “can be a role model to Ireland and the rest of the world” (March 4th).
There are approximately 30 abortions for every 100 live births per year in Canada. Ms Arthur may consider that a “low” rate. I, on the other hand, consider that it speaks of a model to be avoided at all costs. – Is mise,
Sir, – I doubt that I am the only one whose eyebrows rose on reading the extraordinary letter (March 1st) from individuals associated with Siptu and Ictu, USI, etc.
Presumably these individuals wrote the letter on behalf of these organisations; certainly, there have been no media reports of leaders of these organisations dissociating themselves from the letter’s contents. Are we to take it, then, that it is the position of some trade unions, and of their umbrella organisation Ictu, that opinion polls carry more weight than general elections or constitutional referendums?
The question is justified, because Fine Gael was elected on a pro-life platform, and some of the proposals in the letter seem clearly unconstitutional. The letter, however, calls for abortion legislation by the summer and cites just opinion poll results in support.
“One hundred and one individuals and civic society organisations” sounds like a lot of people to offend, but here goes. Not a single psychiatrist at the recent Oireachtas hearings was prepared to say that abortion is ever a suitable treatment for intended suicide. It does the signatories no credit that all 101+ of them still insist on the fiction that legislating for X will save women’s lives. Either they are unaware of this psychiatric reality, or are choosing to ignore it. If they want abortion on demand then they should say so, and see how far they get with it. Stop trying to sneak it in by the back door via the X case. – Yours, etc,