Madam, - Since the Labour Party now proposes to introduce legislation to allow for legal abortion in Ireland, perhaps it could clarify how late in a pregnancy it would allow abortions to be performed?
The X Case places no time limits on abortion, so in order to adhere to the Constitution, as defined in X, Labour would have to allow abortion up to nine months. If, however, the party would like to impose some time restrictions, it should state clearly what these are and outline the medical, legal and philosophical case for what would appear to amount to an arbitrary decision.
Honest debate requires precision and detail, not opportunism and pious hand-wringing. I await a response. - Yours, etc.,
NIAMH ROCHE, Kill Avenue, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin.