Madam, - Last Saturday was the 40th anniversary of the legalisation of abortion in Britain. Choice Ireland believes abortion should be legalised in Ireland.
Additionally we believe there should be policies to reduce the rate of crisis pregnancy; free and accessible contraception; quality sex education; and real supports for women who choose to go through with their pregnancies.
We campaign on these issues on the basis of women's rights. However, we also wish to see fewer women facing crisis pregnancy. The effect of this would be a reduced abortion rate. Given that it is impossible to eliminate Irish abortions, one can assume that a reduced abortion rate is also a principal aim of the anti-choice lobby.
The Netherlands has the lowest rate of abortion in the EU, together with some of the most liberal abortion laws in the world, whereas Ireland has an average abortion rate together with almost complete illegality. It is objectively clear, therefore, that the criminalising of abortion is entirely ineffective in reducing abortion rates.
We also campaign for legalisation because the delay caused by the illegality of abortion leads to Irish women having later abortions - a situation which is the antithesis of the needs of women facing a crisis pregnancy.
Choice Ireland's campaign aim is therefore in keeping with the anti-choice aim of a reduced abortion rate. We call on the anti-choice lobby to join us in our campaign for the legalisation of abortion as well as measures to reduce the rate of crisis pregnancy. - Yours, etc,
LOUISE CAFFREY, Choice Ireland, Orwell Gardens, Dublin 6.