Sir, – I commend Ann Maria Burke, the midwife manager who, in the case of Savita Halappanavar’s untimely death, admitted saying “because Ireland is a Catholic country” (Home News, April 11th). Such refreshing honesty is to be admired and followed by all concerned. – Yours, etc,
MG STOREY,
Glencar, Sligo .
A chara, – I would like to congratulate Ann Maria Burke, the midwife who made the “Catholic country” remark, for her honesty at a time of extreme pressure.
I believe that in a system where doctors in hospitals make relatively short bedside visits and have only a limited time to explain diagnoses and procedures, the duty to explain and clarify is often left to nurses. It is true: many of our laws are guided by the fact ours is a “Catholic country”. It appears also that with regard to abortion and the medical community, the current legislation is ambiguous and unsatisfactory. – Is mise,
JENNIFER McCABE,
Windmill Park, Crumlin, Dublin 12 .
Sir, – What is the HSE’s precise definition of a “systems failure”? – Yours, etc,
MAIREAD MASON,
Ballymore Eustace,
Co Kildare .