Oireachtas members should resist open ended approach to abortion

SIR, A major preoccupation of the forthcoming session of the Oireachtas will be legislation allowed by the 25 May referendum, which said ‘Provision may be made for the regulation of termination of pregnancy’.

The government has indicated its wish to allow abortion for any reason during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy and later in cases where the health of the mother is endangered or where there is a prospect of fatal foetal abnormality.

Few realise that while the amendment allows abortion, it does not specifically require it. On the other hand, it does not call for any restrictions on it, if allowed. It is unlikely, given the current media and public attitude on the issue, that the Oireachtas will exercise the first option. But who knows, strange things can happen in politics.

What is more likely will be great pressure, regardless of the government’s professed agenda, to move in the direction of a more liberalised option.

To the degree that abortion is presented as the right of a woman, it will be harder to prohibit it, even when it is desired for personal, social, or even convenience reasons. Hopefully, members of the Oireachtas will resist such an open-ended prospect.

If abortion is allowed, at a minimum, women seeking such should be made aware of alternatives, like adoption. Also, the conscientious objection of healthcare providers and institutions to participation in abortions must be respected. In addition, the life of a new born who survived abortion must be protected, and foetal remains after an abortion must be handled with appropriate dignity. Sincerely,

John P McCarthy,

Professor Emeritus of History,

Fordham University,

New York