Sir, - The predicament of the young girl at the centre of the latest abortion controversy is very sad. The case has raised many issues, not least the collective responsibility borne by society for her physical circumstances, Youth Defence's questionable contribution and her father's motivation. We have had the tragic situation of the victim fighting her parents in the courts, and it is equally tragic that some other young girl will sooner or later find herself in similar circumstances. Bad law makes hard cases. The abortion issue has been ducked by successive governments since the disastrous 1983 amendment. Their failure to legislate in the wake of the 1983 and successive referendums is nothing short of a dereliction of duty. I accept that abortion is a moral and political minefield and that whatever direction is taken will alienate some faction, but to do nothing was an irresponsible cop-out.
As Gerard Hogan pointed out in your newspaper (Opinion, November 20th), there is no form of words that could be submitted to an ordinary referendum which would adequately address the complexities of the abortion issue. Clearly, there are deeply held views on both sides, which cannot be reconciled by a simple yes or no answer. Accordingly, a "simple referendum to outlaw abortion in all circumstances" is not an option. Therefore, the Government must grasp the nettle and legislate.
The suggestion that such legislation be put to the electorate is an ill-advised abdication of responsibility, because the opponents of such a Bill, whoever they are, would be completely disadvantaged by the workings of Article 27. A referendum of this type cannot yield a simple majority decision, was not designed for this end, and should not be considered. The suggestion that the issue cannot be resolved until 1999 amounts to a massive kick to touch. The Government is perfectly capable of fast-tracking legislation when it wants to.
Our elected representatives are paid to debate and enact legislation in a forum expressly created for the purpose. They really should stop pussyfooting and get on with it. - Yours, etc.,
Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin.