Sir, - Your feature article of July 4th and Editorial of July 6th, viewed together, seem to indicate approval for the legislation of abortion on demand in the Republic. There are, however, some contradictions in your articulation.
In the Editorial you seem to advocate legislation on limited abortion and then criticise that only "offering Irish women the option of a flight to London is no more than a cowardly abdication".
If, against the tide of public opinion among ordinary citizens, the Government were to legislate for limited abortion as you suggest, women would still go to England to avail of the de facto abortion on demand there, and undoubtedly, you Sir, would still see that as "cowardly abdication".
If, despite a deep sympathy for the women's plight, one sees abortion as basically unjust and brutally discriminatory, it compels us not to turn our backs on the situation but rather try to reshape society, leading to a reduction in abortions as witnessed in Poland.
As the debate on abortion inevitably ensues in the coming months, there is a responsibility on those participating to ensure it is informed, reasoned and sensitive. This also applies to the media. - Yours, etc.,
Rachael Keane, Shanboley Road, Beaumont, Dublin 9.