Sir, - Mr Joe Foyle questions (June 13th), abortion figures presented by Medb Ruane. The figure quoted by Ms Ruane is of 6,338 Irish women giving addresses in the Republic of Ireland when having abortions in Britain last year. This number is based on statistical evidence available from the British authorities.
Mr Foyle says of these women that some may not be Irish and may even give false Irish addresses in order to receive a late termination. This I find hardly credible and am at a loss to know how Mr Foyle may be aware of this given that he also says "when Irish addresses are given, abortion clinic people do not seek verification".
I would be more interested in the converse figure i.e. the number of Irish resident women whom, for whatever reason, choose not to give an Irish address. I would suggest that this number might be well in excess of the 1,000 abortions suggested by your correspondent.
Mr Foyle's use of the term "unnecessary abortions" would indicate that he is not in favour of abortion. This letter is neither in favour nor against but simply points out that Mr Foyle's figures cannot be anything other than hypothetical and contradictory. - Yours, etc.,
Alan Clinton, Leiden, The Netherlands.