Listen to the electorate

■ After the referendum we were told the people have spoken.

And indeed they have, but it would seem that many among our elected representatives are only hearing what they want.

The large vote to repeal the Eighth is being claimed by the Government as a mandate to implement legislation along the lines it proposed prior to the referendum. But the facts do not bear this out.

The Referendum Commission made it clear we were voting about constitutional change only, not the laws that might follow.

As it happens, the exit polls showed that around half of the two-thirds who voted for repeal were not in favour of the liberal regime being suggested.

As one-third voted to retain the Eighth, this means the Government’s support proposals as outlined before the referendum has the support of only about one-third of the electorate. This is far from being a mandate.

The referendum also granted, of course, the Oireachtas the power to do as it likes when it comes to abortion law.

However, as all elected representatives know, it is as well to listen to the people; and in the case of the contentious issue of abortion to listen very carefully.

Otherwise many of them might hear some very unwelcome news indeed come the next general election – an event, as we all know, whose occurrence is very difficult to predict.

Rev Patrick G Burke

Castlecomer, Co Kilkenny