Dear Editor, Amongst the several useful points made by Martin Mansergh in his article on how Irish people should decide on the shape of their future society without the influence of foreign funding (IC 20/07/2017), is his comment that a “decisive battle between two very different visions of Irish society is not far off”.
He further makes the point that legislation will follow a referendum on repeal. This is an appalling prospect. By saying “Yes” to repeal, this important matter – the deliberate taking of (unborn) human life – will be handed over by two million people and given to the opinions of 80 politicians in the Dáil.
We already know that the leaders of all parties are partial towards restrictive abortion (initially). We also know that the reasons given for abortion has changed dramatically in the UK. These reasons have changed from those of compassion, to mere feticide, which is now being openly canvassed (e.g. guidelines, etc., of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, and the British Pregnancy Advisory Service).
If repeal takes place, this will be the most serious surrender of power since the foundation the State. It is similar to the intended constitutional changes in Venezuela (e.g. the ‘People’s Assembly’ of 500).
A root cause of the problem is that the Government, not the people, have the deciding of the wording of a referendum to be put to the people. This needs to be changed, though it will not happen in the short term, or ever. Drawing the teeth of the Constitution has now become the prime focus of politicians.
Back to a referendum on repeal, followed by legislation, this will be an easy sell. Many seek a reasonable “middle ground”. This is laudable, of course, but it is a “will-o’-the-wisp”, and, with the aid of the courts, cannot be attained.
Therefore, we are likely to have a referendum, followed by legislation. QED (Quite Easily Done).
Yours etc.,
Donal O’Driscol,
Blackrock, Co. Dublin.