Sir, – Further to the excellent article by Kathryn Torney ("Manchester clinic accounts for 30 per cent of Irish abortions", December 12th), David Smyth, of the Evangelical Alliance, is quoted as saying that "life-limiting disability", his preferred term for "fatal foetal impairment", has been at the centre of the drive for change in Ireland's abortion laws.
First, fatal (and severe) foetal impairment means the foetus will not survive birth or for very long after birth. It not the same as “life-limiting”.
Second, fatal and severe foetal impairments are categorically not “disabilities” – they are serious medical conditions. For many women and girls, carrying such a pregnancy to term is extremely traumatic and can have physical health implications. For this reason, women and girls have a right, under international human rights law, to choose to have an abortion should they need it. Some may decide not to. It is their choice.
Third, there has been not been a demand for abortion access on the basis of “life-limiting” conditions, or on the basis of disability of any sort, propelling the call for reform of Ireland’s abortion law. Rather, we have seen huge public support for access to abortion on the basis of fatal and severe foetal impairment, and therefore increasing political support for such. This is substantially due to the harrowing testimonies of many women and their families who have bravely spoken out about the trauma of having to travel.
This is not a petty squabble over terminology or minor nuance. We simply cannot have materially incorrect terms lobbed in, which confuse and mislead. It does a great disservice to those in Irish society who want information so they can understand and engage in the discussion that is long overdue on this important human rights issue. Moreover, it is most unfair on women and families who have been through or are currently facing these experiences.
We must listen to and respect views on all side of this important debate, but only if put forward truthfully and honestly.
Those who wish to substitute accepted language for something quite different cannot be allowed to do so unchecked. – Yours, etc,
COLM O’GORMAN,
Executive Director,
Amnesty International
Ireland,
Sean McBride House,
Fleet Street,
Dublin 2.