Dear Sir,
The news that abortions are being carried out in Irish hospitals where the lives of women are threatened by the continuation of their pregnancies should come as no surprise. Indeed, it would be appalling if we lived in a society where pregnant women died because life-saving treatment was withheld from them.
Yet, what has been rather surprising has been the unexpected reaction of those in the "pro-life" camp. Since the X case decision, these people have consistently preached that abortion is never necessary to save women's lives. Now, faced with direct evidence from a maternity hospital that some women may die unless their pregnancies are terminated, they have backed down. Some are even saying that they have always accepted that abortions may be medically necessary. This despite their stated position in favour of yet another constitutional referendum which, according to them, would 'completely ban abortion'. How bizarre!
Such a referendum could only endanger women's lives, since it would undermine the carrying-out of existing procedures by limiting the X case test. Instead, legislation should be introduced to implement that test, as the Labour Party has suggested. This would safeguard present medical practice, clarify the legal position of doctors, and most importantly, protect the right to life of pregnant women.
Yours, etc.,
Ivana Bacik.