DAVID CARROLL,
A chara - I wonder if the many pro-life people who are opposing this referendum and introducing masses of confusion into the debate they have any idea of the possible consequences of their actions, however well-meaning they may be.
For amid all the confusion, there are a few certainties:
1. There will never be a referendum offering a more extreme "pro-life" choice to the people, as hoped for by some.
2. Bertie Ahern/Fianna Fáil will never touch the issue again if this referendum fails.
3. All the other parties are committed to legislating for abortion either under threat of suicide or in more liberal circumstances.
It is true that the choice is stark and this referendum is not perfect by any means, but it is the best and the last chance we will have of protecting the life of the unborn, and I will be voting "Yes". - Yours, etc.,
DAVID CARROLL,
Castle Gate,
Dublin 2.
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Sir, - What has gone wrong, that the Government is proposing to install a full Act of Parliament - untried and legally untested - into the Constitution? How can it be so certain that it is right, in every detail, now and for all time? How can it casually abrogate the right of the Oireachtas to legislate on these matters in the future, and the future freedom of citizens to manage their political affairs as they see fit?
Those who want this done are completely open, saying quite frankly that they do not trust the legislatures of the future and wish to permanently remove their freedom of action. That position I can understand. But why is our own Government leading the van in this attempt to deprive the Oireachtas of its freedom to legislate? Surely it should be the custodian of the rights and freedoms of the Oireachtas, now and for the future?
I hope the voters will say, "Thank you, but 'No'". - Yours, etc.,
DONAL FLYNN,
Breffni Terrace,
Sandycove,
Co Dublin.
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Sir, - It is interesting to observe how the covert policies of some groups are unveiled to the general public step by step, always leaving something more to be revealed.
On Wednesday, February 20th, when launching its campaign on the abortion referendum, the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (which has two ex-alumni on the Human Rights Commission, and another the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights) brought its position on abortion further into the public domain.
That position includes a call for the repeal of Article 40.3.3 of the Constitution, (which acknowledges the right to life of the unborn child), and "legislation for abortion in Ireland on the basis of a woman's right to choose" (The Irish Times, February 21st).
While one may gasp at the horror of such a proposal coming from anyone in a civilised society, it is doubly horrendous coming from a group claiming to uphold civil liberties. - Yours, etc.,
RICHARD GREENE,
Chairman,
Irish Civil Rights Association,
Roebuck Road,
Dublin 14.
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Sir, - We should consider the symbolic effect of the forthcoming referendum. A constitution reflects the philosophy of the people who adopt it. It gives expression to their views on issues which they deem fundamental to the promotion of a civilised society. Hence the importance in the Constitution of Ireland of a declaration to protect the right to life of the unborn.
By voting Yes on March 6th, we can reinforce the "pro-life" provisions and give leadership to a world entrapped in the abortion culture. Let us grasp this precious opportunity. - Yours, etc.,
T. O CONNOR,
Churchtown,
Dublin 14.
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Sir, - Before voting in the abortion referendum, I believe we should ask ourselves the following question: Should my sister/daughter/mother or myself be forced to go through with a psychologically damaging (possibly suicidal) pregnancy, which may have resulted from rape or incest?
The fact that termination is available in Britain should not be an influencing factor as it may not always be available there. Ireland has exported and hidden enough "problems" in the past and has trampled over people's rights in the process. It is time we grew up and faced our responsibilities. - Yours, etc.,
P. MEYLER,
Ballycurry,
Ashford,
Co Wicklow.
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Sir, - I have difficulty in deciding how to vote in the upcoming referendum. In the past I have waited to see which way the pro-life movement urged me to vote and I have voted the other way. However this time I find that there are two pro-life movements and each is urging me to vote in a different direction. As a result I do not know which one to vote against.
It is all very confusing. May I suggest that we invite a team of election monitors from Zimbabwe to come to Ireland and at least guarantee a clear result? - Yours, etc.,
NIGEL WEBSTER,
Holly Park Avenue,
Blackrock,
Co Dublin.