Courtney McGrailDear Editor, I cannot believe what is happening with the present Government. In this centenary year of the heroes of 1916, Ireland doffs its cap to the UN, a body that cooperated with human rights abuses at many levels. After being roundly abused by the UN for Ireland’s pro-life laws, the then Minister for Health meekly thanked them.
To begin with, Ireland is under no obligation to obey UN orders. And despite its attitudes, no UN Treaty has ever endorsed abortion. Sadly, the UN, through the UN Fund for Population Activities, inter alia, became obsessed with abortion and population control. The Government should investigate UN involvement with the brutal compulsory sterilisation programme in India, the ‘one child policy’ in China and with the foundations that pour millions into abortion promotion.
We cannot let a body like the UN dictate policy to Ireland, particularly in areas where Ireland has higher standards than the UN aspires to – respect for the value of all human life whether healthy or handicapped. Granting €30,000 of public money to someone who decided to act unconstitutionally, certainly raises lots of problems. Will this be also paid to the 40 Downs Syndrome Irish babies aborted in England last year?
When all is said and done, there were other options. The baby could have been carried to term. Other women do that and some have the pleasant surprise that their babies were either normal or not as handicapped as feared.
Yours etc.,
John O’Reilly,
Secretary, Second Look Project,
Merrion Square, Dublin 2.