Rights of women

Sir — I am an Irish woman who lives abroad. I do not believe that a foetus of 12 weeks has any rights that are comparable to the right of a completely sentient woman not to be forced to carry something inside herself that she does not want or that won’t survive outside her. I do understand some people feel that a foetus should have equal rights to this woman. For older generations and those raised in communities in which this idea is ingrained in their morals, it will be difficult to look beyond this deeply held conviction. It will be within their rights to express that view at the polls.

However, if anything has been shown from the recent turnaround from many politicians forced to look at the harsh reality of giving women the difficult choice created by the Eighth, deep reflection is needed. The Oireachtas Committee, recent Dail debates and the Citizens’ Assembly have all shown that when this reflection takes place, a more realistic approach often prevails.

I do think, as a woman abroad, that a vote to retain the Eighth will colour any future decision to return home. It will be hard not to view it as a total disregard for the hundreds and thousands of women who have made that lonely journey and an extension of the disregard for women that has characterised much of Irish history. Ailbhe Finn, Greystones, Co Wicklow/ Brussels, Belgium