Rule by referendum on key issues like abortion

I READ with interest the two letters on the subject of abortion (Write Back, October 16). Both raise important issues regarding the care needed in drawing up legislation and show up the 1967 Abortion Act as a very outdated piece of legislation which urgently needs reconsideration.

These letters also show the wisdom of the new law in the south of Ireland. Limiting the period of legal abortion to 12 weeks circumvents all the problems mentioned (The sex of the 12-week embryo is not yet visible in a scan and could only be obtained by amniocentesis at a later time, so sex-selection would be practically impossible). After the 12-week limit, more detailed medical and psychological analysis would be necessary before termination at later stages of foetal development could be legally carried out.

It is a great tragedy that we, north of the border, have not yet reached the level of maturity of our southern neighbours, where our politicians can debate issues like abortion in a balanced and proper manner.

In important issues like this, where there is much disagreement among politicians, the people should be given the opportunity to express their opinion by referendum.

This would also deal with the reliability problems in sample polls, where sample size and randomisation methods affect the outcome.

DAVID FULLERTON Belfast