Irish Examiner 12 Opinion Friday, 20.10.2017 Our Taoiseach really needs a Established 1841 Abortion law lesson in checking his privilege
URELY there was someone Dr Peter Boylan, left, warned of deaths Early vote somewhere, a man even, and Prof Sabaratnam Arulkumaran willing to point out to the Taoiseach that he’s big has little time for our official abortion time storing up trouble with Irish approach. Pictures: Gareth Chaney/Collins women the way that he’s going on. undermines Take one woman, me for instance, sitting for hour after issues. The Harvey Weinstein affair hour watching the Oireachtas com- has been gripping the Western mittee on the Eighth Amendment, world, showing that even the where eminent medics, with world’s richest and seemingly most work to date decades of experience at the front- powerful women, can fall prey to line of obstetrics, make clear the the most horrendous sexual viol- absolute disservice that has been ence. If you’d a lick of political THE all-party Oireachtas committee examining Ireland’s done, and continues to be done, to sense you wouldn’t need a brand abortion law took many people by surprise when it voted Irish women. new communications unit overwhelmingly against retaining the Eighth Amendment In the background bubbling to realise this is a particularly sen- to the Constitution in its present form while still having five away is another box in the teeth for sitive topic at present; that it’s not weeks of debate on the issue to run. women — the controversy over the best optics to be getting all the In doing so, the Committee on the Eighth Amendment to pensions impacting an estimated best boy toys when it comes to the Constitution, as it was formally known, has made itself all 35,000 females who took time out showing yourself in the best light, but redundant. from the workforce before 1994, or but leaving the manner in which The committee of 22 members, which was established last worked part-time. Then yesterday, we best tackle sexual violence back April to consider the Citizens’ Assembly report on the Eighth just as we’re decompressing from in the day of the abacus and chalk- Amendment, was due to meet in public session for another the committee on the Eighth, board. This is a patriarchal deci- five weeks to continue debate on the assembly’s recommen- comes another body blow — the sion. dations as well as interrogate the broader health, social, decision not to fund a much needed At the Oireachtas committee on human rights and other issues surrounding the provision of study into the scale of sexual viol- the Eighth Amendment on Wednes- abortion services. ence in Ireland. day, Dr Peter Boylan, chair of the It is unclear what purpose the committee can now find for To borrow a phrase from the Institute of Obstetricians and itself, apart from examining the options put to it by the world of social media, our Leo Gynaecologists of Ireland, warned group’s legal adviser, barrister Nuala Butler, as further really needs a lesson in checking TDs and senators not to underesti- debate has been rendered pointless by this pre-emptive his privilege. It’s either that, or risk mate the anger of Irish women. He decision. alienating a considerable percen- agreed that Ireland is indeed a Billy Kelleher was the only Fianna Fáil member to vote in tage of half of his electorate. He “very safe place to have a baby”. favour of effectively repealing the Eighth which he did in may have bristled at the beginning But added a second half to that spite of the fact that it was his personal preference that a vote of his tenure over criticism of the sentence that many, Taoiseach on the amendment not be taken until November 22, the last number of women in his Cabinet, Varadkar included, would rather day of the current weekly sessions. His fellow party and indeed the lack of women in his ignore. That is the fact that if not members, Anne Rabbitte and James Browne, abstained, kitchen cabinet, his inner circle. for the availability of abortion while Ned O’Sullivan was absent when the vote was taken. But at this point it’s beginning to Alison to Irish women in Britain, the The decision to declare in favour of repeal midway look as if he definitely has a woman maternal mortality rate here through what was meant to be a series of serious debates issue. It may not be deliberate, or “would shoot up” because of damages the credibility of the committee and undermines its maybe it is something that is oper- women accessing illegal abortions. good work to date. ating at a subconscious level — It was clear from his contribu- It also lends credence to the assertion by Independent TD either way it’s harmful — and he O’Connor tions that Professor Sabaratnam Mattie McGrath and Senator Rónán Mullen that the commit- needs to address it. Arulkumaran, who chaired the tee’s work has become skewed in favour of abortion. The fact is that it’s easy to HSE inquiry into the death of Savi- They said: “Over 20 groups and individuals pushing for preside over something like the ta Halappanavar, and is a former abortion have been invited before the committee, while only decision to not fund a second president of the Royal College of a handful of pro-life people have been invited.” Savi (Sexual Abuse and Violence in Obstetricians and Gynaecologists In response, chairwoman Senator Catherine Noone Ireland) study when you’re as safe in the UK, has little time for the insisted the committee has been run impartially at all times as houses from the prospect of sex- official Irish approach to abortion. and pointed out that both McGrath and Mullen had been ual violence yourself, and don’t ap- He pointed out that making abor- given extra time to speak at meetings on several occasions. pear to feel an empathy with those tion illegal serves only to promote However, now that the committee has shown its hand before who are at risk. This is a position of tion. This is the international VIDEO:AUDIO :LIVE BLOGS :PHOTOS Taoiseach had told the Dáil he illegal abortions. He referred to the the issue was fully debated, all that is left for discussion is privilege when you consider that at benchmark for tackling violence would not rule out a second study. outrageous 14-year prison sentence mostly logistical — whether there should be a straight full re- least one in five women in Ireland against women. However in order Of course, by not funding Savi for any woman or girl who accesses peal with the Oireachtas having the final say, a partial repeal, experience domestic or sexual to ratify the Convention we need a Haveyour say the Government has the added an illegal abortion here, as pro- or replacing the Eighth with a new amendment. abuse during their lifetime. While gold standard in data collection, on this issue at bonus of being able to underesti- vided for in the Protection of Life Whatever side one might take on whether we need a we know certain facts about these surveys and research. irishexaminer.com mate the investment needed to help During Pregnancy Act, asking: less restrictive abortion regime in Ireland or not, work by the issues, there are huge gaps in our The decision not to fund a new and counsel those who have been “Can you imagine putting those Citizens’ Assembly and the Oireachtas committee has been knowledge and at an official level Savi report essentially means victims of sexual violence, 4,800 women in prison?” One can- useful in bringing discussion of this important moral issue these are being exacerbated rather that victims of rape and domestic overwhelmingly women. As we not imagine that but one doesn’t into the open. For some individuals, this public discourse than tackled. abuse are not counted unless they know many women never come for- have to imagine too hard to see how has facilitated a journey of self-discovery, moving from an With the controversies sur- officially report their crime or are study was carried out. The pre- ward to report such a crime so do a few women could end up being entrenched position on abortion to a more nuanced one. rounding so many other areas of recorded by a charity. Yesterday, vious justice minister, Frances not appear on official figures. imprisoned for just such a thing, Sadly, the latest move by the Oireachtas committee on the their statistics, unsurprisingly hardly coincidentally, the Rape Fitzgerald, had given a commit- There appears to have been a why else have it as a reality on the Eighth has done the opposite. An Garda Síochána are not up Crisis Network of Ireland an- ment to fund a new one but the cur- pass the parcel element to this situ- statute books? Just as you don’t to scratch on domestic violence, nounced it would not be publishing rent minister, Charlie Flanagan, ation, with various members of need to stretch your imagination to or to put it another way, seriously statistics on the experiences of sur- has just reneged on that. You might Cabinet being asked to give funds see women officially targeted in unreliable. But they are not the vivors of sexual abuse for 2016 be- well wonder what is the whopping towards the study. Social Protec- the area of pensions or sexual viol- Brexit negotiations only ones. We actually do not know cause of huge cuts to its funding. cost of carrying out such a study? tion Minister Regina Doherty, in a ence. how many women report sexual The network had been producing It’s just too easy, but irresistible, to letter, did ask Children’s Minister It is not a joke on my part to sug- and physical violence in Ireland annual national statistics since whip out the estimated €5m cost of Katherine Zappone, then justice gest that Taoiseach Varadkar enrol on an annual basis because of 2005, but after a massive skelp of Leo’s pet project the new strategic minister Frances Fitzgerald, and himself for some serious gender issues across the system. Our 70% was taken out of its budget in communications unit and compare Health Minister Simon Harris to sensitivity training. He may not be Point scoring information, such as it is, comes 2015 this is no longer possible. that to the relatively miserly €1m contribute towards the research. at all keen on it, but when he runs from EU level. So a key part of the existing the study would cost. Bizarrely the Her pleas fell on deaf ears. the numbers he may well realise The National Women’s Council domestic information we did have decision was made known to The The timing of this decision there are votes in it, or at least the has pointed out how Ireland has has now also been shut down. Times by the Department of Justice starkly shows how tone deaf the opportunity not to lose those serves no good signed up to the Istanbul Conven- It is 15 years since the first Savi on Wednesday just shortly after the Government is on female-related female votes by the bucketload.
IF Ireland is to secure as much as it can during negotiations on Brexit it is essential that the Taoiseach and our European commissioner Phil Hogan are singing from the same hymn sheet. That is clearly not the case, judging from Leo Varadkar’s public admonishment yesterday of Letters to the editor @irishexaminer www.irishexaminer.com /irishexaminer Mr Hogan, directly contradicting his stated view that negotiations are at a cliff edge to a hard Brexit. The Irish Examiner, Linn Dubh, Assumption Road, Blackpool, Cork. 021-4272722, fax 021-4275477, [email protected] “I think we’ve a long way to go yet,” he told journalists in Brussels ahead of the EU summit. “Brexit doesn’t happen until April 2019. We’re quite far back from the cliff edge.” That may well be so but, instead of scoring points against a member of his own team, it would be better if the Taoiseach apparently, despite the Noah’s Ark upgraded infrastructure. I would also goes by. What is he waiting for — an- multinationals wanting to run our used his obvious talents to forge new relationships and Met Éireann conditions which were predicted. urge the business community reps to other massacre? drinking water and sewage. cement old ones in order to strengthen Ireland’s position in The media too fell short of expec- travel between Tralee and Cork to ob- I’m sure nothing will happen any time Tom Ryan the EU after the UK leaves the union. tations and were dismal on the open- serve the poor signposting to Cork soon. The National Rifle Association Doon In fairness, he already appears to have grasped the import- fell short on ing and reopening of business and (especially in Tralee Town). (NRA) are powerful and many. It Co Limerick ance of that by attending a meeting of the Nordic-Baltic services such as post offices, libraries, Again on a recent journey from Gal- seems that the NRA voted for Donald group, an alliance of northern European states with shared hospitals, buses, ATMs and updates. way I found the signs to Cork to be few Trump. nowing Trump by now, it is values and similar open trading economies to Ireland. It was ‘hurricane’ They seemed to be a strong yearning and confusing, so please, please unlikely to change much, if any, be- Blemish on his first Nordic-Baltic leaders’ group meeting. by the media, especially on radio, maybe more publicity for a motorway cause he would see this as something He also exhibited political astuteness and a thorough grasp towards sporting fixtures which crept between Cork and erry. not in his favour or best interests. Cosgrave’s career of Ireland’s particular vulnerability to Brexit when he said: advice in too often and of no practicable onal arris Massacres happened in the The media has united to proclaim “I’m very keen that Ireland builds new political alliances in value given the emergency conditions Sth Douglas Road (Dunblane) and in Australia. They that the late Liam Cosgrave was Europe. That’s going to be particularly important when we Met Éireann deserve some criticism which hit the country. Cork regulated guns immediately, and “tough on terrorism”. lose our biggest ally — Britain — in a year or two.” for the way they dealt with the Hurricane in advising people. Surprising too that the emergency so it can be done in the SA. But there are two types of terrorism. broadcast system was not used, des- First, we were told it was a “ex-hurri- Don’t hold your breath. The most well known is paramilitary pite its high cost and its now apparent CCTV endeavours cane”, then it was “tropical storm” Bernard Naughton terrorism. Less talked about is state redundancy? then a “category three hurricane” and Farranree terrorism such as the Rainbow Inability to track sex crimes We seem to have a uniquely Irish are appreciated then simply “a hurricane”. Cork Warrior attack, Operation Condor, the approach to weather forecasting in They could not make up their minds A small space in your letters page, bombing of orean air flight 8 8 etc. what it was and could not envisage this country. please, to allow me offer my appreci- We need a new weather reporting Republic of missed Mr Cosgrave was not very tough on that once the weak tempest got ation and thanks to the public repre- state terrorism. The Barron Report caught up in the gulf stream it had the service and one that is fit for purpose, sentatives serving Midleton Town, Shame on us instead of all the guess work and criticised his administration for a lack potential to reenergise significantly. Co Cork and their endeavours to opportunity mixed messages which came from of interest and a lack of action on the Ex-hurricanes do not exist — a hurri- have CCT installed in the town, with Letting people go homeless, leaving biggest mass murder in modern Irish Met Éireann during the hurricane as full power public lighting, if it is to FOR many years the Rape Crisis Network Ireland has cane is a hurricane, nothing else, and conditions in need of addressing history. an excellent test of Met Éireann’s abil- operate effectively in the apprehen- provided sterling service to survivors of sexual violence, they pick up dramatically once they hit which lead to homelessness, not ad- The Dublin Monaghan bombing has high warm air in a moving stream such ity to predict the weather. Time to sion of thieves. equately addressing high housing offering support, counselling and advice to thousands. Its change the old guard... been officially described as an act of as the gulf stream. Prior to my coming to Midleton five purchase or rent costs have been international terrorism on the part of 14 rape crisis centres also deal with up to 20,000 calls, texts Maurice it gerald and emails every year. Obviously the extreme weather sys- years ago, I lived in a West Cork town poor responses to a major housing British forces. Shanbally where CCT was installed but the On top of that it has, since 2005, produced annual national tem had travelled extensively through- challenge. Liam Cosgrave’s refusal to co-operate Co Cork public lighting was not adequate to statistics, a very important measure of the scale of sexual out the Atlantic and, with the excep- Society itself contains much cruelty. A with the Barron inquiry will forever catch the robbers in action. It proves violence in Ireland and a vital tool in providing frontline tional warm conditions for the time of homeless woman dying in a tent. remain a blemish on his political a waste of public funding not to have services to victims. year, had unlimited potential. The generosity People so bereft of company or who career. A day before the extreme weather both lighting and cameras corre- feel alone looking for solace in addic- However, the removal of funding by Tusla, the child and Michael O’ lynn family agency, means it can no longer afford to verify and struck, Met Éireann labelled red warn- of our ministers sponding to rid our towns, cities and tive drugs that lead to chaotic impacts ing counties which were told to close villages of night prowlers. on individuals, family, friends and Friars Walk publish these statistics. Cork That, along with the decision by the Government to scrap a the schools, while incredibly orange Seeing that in the recent budget the Renewed thanks to Midleton council- wider society, in turn leading to cartel nationwide full study of sex crimes — the first since 2002 — is status counties were not so advised to extra per week granted to pen- ors and officials for their foresight to wars or contributing. likely to cripple our ability to track the success of national the delight of education bureaucrats. sioners and others does not come into have both cameras and lighting work- Drug gangs feed from and stoke Greek tragedy of initiatives to combat offences of this nature. However, it was known that the effect until the end of March, the ing simultaneously, thus allowing misery. If that happens, it will show a disregard bordering on Hurricane would be nationwide? increase in fact amounts to a paltry householders to sleep in peace and Homelessness and abandonment its own making contempt for victims of sexual violence in Ireland and shame Strangely too, Met Éireann took the . only per week for the year 2018. quiet. are cruel facets of contemporary us in the eyes of the world. view that even though they issued a The ministers’ generosity should Mary evin society that in turn mock a I cannot understand why Yanis red national warning on their website, never be forgotten. Midleton statement like the “republic of oppor- aroufakis is whinging about the E marine warnings were only on amber J McGuire Co Cork tunity”. interfering in Greek state affairs, Irish or orange status. In fact, there was a Athlone How to best help the wide population Examiner October 9. small craft warning on yellow, no less, Co Westmeath should be the intention. People The Greek government allowed its while a red national warning was up Long, deadly wait had genuine, actual fear about the civil servants to collect up to three Press Council of Ireland with an exclamation mark beside it sell-off of Irish water, selling water in state pensions annually when they stayed in place? A motorway to for gun control the more and more crowded east retired and paid them 14 months There seemed to be enormous doubt After the Las egas massacre of 8 would be extremely lucrative. Water is wages every year. The Irish Examiner always endeavours to be fair, accurate and honest in our Kerry is a must So when the Greek government could reporting and in our relationships with our readers and customers. in Met Éireann’s mind even though and 2 injured, one would think that liable to be sourced in the west one If you experience a problem with one of our stories please follow this procedure they had been in direct contact with What is happening with the Macroom the immediate banning of arms would way or another. It would be an interest- not — or would not — do anything to and we will respond to you at the earliest opportunity. Florida’s weather service for bypass? It’s disgraceful to expect be common sense. Some say this is ing PR campaign, the one about de- rectify the situation then I think that the 1) 21 21 1 hurricanes, which advised people in tourists and others to travel on such not the right time but due to the salinated Irish sea water — given E had to step in to improve the Greek , , Ireland that they “should prepare” inferior roads to the tourism capital of numbers already committed this ban Windscale Sellafield and other such government finances. 2) ery heavy rainfall was forecast Ireland ( illarney). should have already been in place. nuclear sites on Britain’s westerly Thomas erlihy 3) , , , by Met Éireann, up to 48in, however Cork Airport and business in general Donald Trump says discussions on seaboard. Newtown , , , very little rain fell and it was 90% wind w o u l d be ne fi t t re m e n d o u s l y w ith gun control will take place as time We may yet be fending away Charleville We will not respond to anonymous complaints.The Irish Examiner supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and our staff operate within the code of conduct for journalists in Ireland. A copy of the code is available the PCI’s website at www.presscouncil.ie. Alternatively you may contact the PCI at . . . Ground floor, 3W estland Square, Pearse St, Dublin 2, D02 N567 Telephone: 01-6489130 • Fax: 01-6740046 • email: [email protected] Letters must include a full address and may be edited. Please include a daytime number or email for verification. Due to space constraints we cannot accept letters of more than 500 words Irish Examiner 10 Opinion Friday, 23.03.2018 Fianna Fáil TDs say we should not Established 1841 Skewed economic forecasting trust the Oireachtas to legislate
OLERANCE for listening It’s time we to someone who holds the Politicians opposite view to your own “ on abortion depends, I Tfind, on the day, the hour and the who hold this speaker. But if there is one thing read the tea worthy of zero tolerance it is the elected politicians in our national view, it could parliament who say, in essence, that the public would be mad to be argued, do trust them. leaves better We had a number of examples of that in the Dáil this week during not deserve to the debate on the bill to allow the It’s been a while since the Victorian historian, Thomas holding of the abortion referendum hold office Carlyle, described economics as the dismal science, but, even which passed, happily, by 97 votes so, the discipline and its practitioners’ predictions have more to 27 on Wednesday night. influence than they did in Carlyle’s time. Every government It shouldn’t be surprising, I sup- decision, every piece of legislation, every decision to spend or pose, that it was Fianna Fáilers, in not is framed by that all-important known unknown — “our their contributions, who were most economic prospects”. They are the drums we march to. Social inclined to tell the public that stability and equity depend on how this particular set of tea politicians were not to be trusted on leaves is read. Though it’s been a decade, the world’s econ- such important matters. For in- omy still bears the scars of America’s sub-prime mortgage stance, Bobby Aylward pointing fiasco, an adventure unhindered by economists’ intrusions out that if the protection of the and facilitated by Bill Clinton’s capitulation to Wall Street on Eighth Amendment is removed relaxing regulations that had protected America’s banking “the fate of the unborn will be system from itself for decades. Just this week, we were rem- placed in the hands of the legis- inded of the ongoing impact those reckless concessions have lators”. TDs Bobby Alyward, Eamon Scanlon, on our capacity to provide public services that match today’s “Future Governments with a and Sean Fleming would have us needs or expectations. strong majority, whether they lean The head of the National Treasury Management Agency, hard to the left or hard to the right, believe that elected representatives Conor O’Kelly, expressed those constraints in the starkest could make further legislative are not to be trusted. terms. He pointed out that Ireland pays €16.5m a day in inter- change which the people of Ireland est to service our national debt. That is a startling figure, for a may have no control over. That is country where just over 2m people are in work and with so important,” said Mr Aylward. his last chance to make any final many pressing demands on the public purse. It seems a per- Elaborating on the theme, party abortion changes, for instance, in fect example of today’s ever-tightening reality — socialism whip Michael Moynihan said it Alison how many days a woman might for the rich, but no-option austerity for the poor. was “not acceptable to allow an Oi- have to wait between requesting an It is a shocking figure, in a country where, according to the reachtas, whatever its make up, to abortion and receiving the medi- independent advocacy group, Social Justice Ireland, almost decide” on the rights of the unborn. cation, or a definite number of doc- 800,000 people, many of whom work, live in poverty. SJI said, “Many people debating this 35 tors needed to sign off on a termi- and it is hard to argue with them, that “these figures are un- years ago would not have envis- O’Connor nation related to a woman’s life, acceptable in a rich, developed country, like Ireland”. That aged the type of Oireachtas we have health or mental health. Many of bleak situation is confirmed by that fact that the number of today and who is to say what an Oi- the decisions around exactly what people who contacted the helpline of budgeting ser- reachtas of the future will be like? It will occur when a woman presents vice, MABS, last year, was higher than at any time since early could be ultraliberal or ultracon- requesting an abortion, in terms of 2013, when the figure was just 1% higher than that recorded servative but God alone knows. I medical guidelines, can be expected last year. The country’s unresolved mortgage crisis, another am standing by what is in the Con- to be decided by organisations such toxic legacy of 2008, contributes to that figure and it shows stitution and it should not be re- as the Institute of Obstetricians and the people to decide rather than Gynaecologists and the Irish Col- that the much-trumpeted recovery is, at best, uneven. pealed,” said Mr Moynihan. VIDEO:AUDIO :LIVE BLOGS :PHOTOS Our 158 TDs are elected from There are many reasons for these failures, but, this week, Surely that is the point of a Deputies. I am concerned that Dep- constituencies all around the lege of General Practitioners with a the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) pointed democracy — the voters go to the uties want to take too much power country, representing all parties role also for the Medical Council. to one that may not be immediately apparent. It urged the polls, on average every five years or for themselves.” Haveyour say and none. That is our democracy. After Easter we can expect the Government and the Central Statistics Office (CSO) to adopt so, and they have the power to elect He went on to commend the pub- on this issue at The bar was set very high for our political campaigns to really kick a separate set of national accounts to better tell the story of whomever they wish. lic for not trusting politicians. irishexaminer.com politicians on this issue by the in. Labour will be campaigning as a our economy, without the distorting influence of multi- Ploughing a similar doubting “One of the reasons is that there members of the Oireachtas com- party, as will the Social Democrats, nationals’ transactions in this jurisdiction. The ESRI warned furrow TD Eamon Scanlon roundly are 158 of us here... We have a par- mittee on the Eighth Amendment. unsurprisingly Fianna Fáil will not that headline growth figures are skewed by large transac- talked down himself and his Dáil ticular bias on most issues either We saw the cross party co-oper- be running a campaign. Only a tions by a small number of firms, involving the transfer of in- colleagues. “As a political class, for or against, although some are gest otherwise. Politicians get ation there; the mature approach matter of weeks ago there was a tellectual property assets to Ireland, in the wake of global can we be completely trusted on probably neutral and their views enough of a hard time, admittedly evident throughout its work (bar- doubt about Fine Gael’s ability to moves to clamp down on tax avoidance. this issue? I do not think so,” said change over a period of time. We merited at times, without their own ring a few notable exceptions). mount any effective party cam- In a country where a finance mandarin is rewarded despite the Sligo/Leitrim TD. Somewhat are not a neutral assembly.” denigrating them and further erod- The launch of the “Together for paign given the lack of unity in a €3.6bn accounting blunder, this might seem unsurprising, perplexingly he also said that those What bizarre and illogical views ing our faith in democracy. Yes” group yesterday should really Cabinet, primarily concerning but it may also be another expression of our cultural aversion surrounding him in the Dáil for someone who has been elected The good news is that Labour kickstart the referendum cam- Tánaiste Simon Coveney. to look-in-the-mirror exercises in the dismal science — and chamber had the right to be there to represent a constituency in the leader Brendan Howlin stood the paign. The role of civil society At the last minute it has appar- our reluctance to learn even the hardest lessons of our past. and had been “put here by the national parliament, and to what ground for politicians. groups, and the co-operation ently pulled it all together and can Reading the tea leaves properly may make for grim reading, people”. end? Politicians who hold this view, “That was the spurious argu- between them will be huge in this expect to be a campaigning force to but, in the longer run, it would be the wise thing to do. The contribution of FF Laois/Of- it could be argued, do not deserve to ment made in 1983,” he recalled. “I campaign to convince people to be reckoned with over the next few faly TD Sean Fleming bordered on hold office. Not to mention opting believe the real position is the exact vote yes on the basis of the health of months, led by Taoiseach Leo Var- the extraordinary when he said to not even give the Irish people the opposite. Politicians, no more than Irish women. The second group adkar. This is just as it should be that deputies were involved in a option to vote in a referendum any other citizen, struggle with this that will be key will be doctors, as for a referendum proposed by the Teenager’s death “power grab” with the idea that themselves. issue and act in accordance with we saw from the weight given to Government. they would be the ones to legislate Abortion has been our major their consciences. If afforded the their contributions at the Citizens This abortion campaign may be for the grounds on which abortion national controversy for decades. responsibility of legislating for this Assembly and the committee on the led by the civil society groups, but be allowed, once the Eighth It’s fair enough to have a particular issue, I am confident that all the Eighth. the role of our elected deputies re- Amendment is repealed. view on abortion, but a potential members of these houses will do so All going to plan the referendum mains pivotal both in the campaig- Do our drug “I want the people to think about Dáil candidate, hoping to get in accordance with their best be- bill will have passed through the ning and, hopefully, in the subse- this. As I said, very important is- elected, could hardly argue they liefs, the balance of advice afforded Oireachtas by the end of next week. quent legislating. Despite what sues are dealt with in the Constitu- did not expect it could possibly be to them by medical experts, and in Health Minister Simon Harris will some of their Dáil brethren may tion and I would consider the issue voted on during their time as a the best interests, as we perceive it, have brought the heads of bill to think this is the job this they were laws cost lives? of life and death to be a matter for legislator. What a cop out to sug- of the people of this Republic.” Cabinet next Tuesday. This will be elected to do.
The older we get the more certain we are that youth is indeed wasted on the young. It is also true that despite getting older we have not worked out how to convince young people not to make the same mistakes we may have made or to avoid life-threatening risk. Such is human nature even if it can Letters to the editor @irishexaminer www.irishexaminer.com /irishexaminer have disastrous consequences. Cork City coroner Philip Comyn dealt with one disastrous The Irish Examiner, Linn Dubh, Assumption Road, Blackpool, Cork. 021-4272722, fax 021-4275477, [email protected] consequence yesterday when he returned a verdict of death by misadventure for Michael Cornacchia, aged 16, who died after taking U47700 and ecstasy at his home in Cork on January 16, 2017. The coroner warned that young people are playing Russian roulette after it was revealed the teenager Abortion is the deliberate killing of the Most women, and everyone else, will and smartphones. Newspapers here to Downing Street that there was thought he was buying cocaine but it turned out to be a We cannot child, which is murder, regardless of be aware that at least 0% of abortion get a double whammy, as they have to “delusion” in the British government powerful opioid. how the pregnancy came about. babies are, in fact, female. These pay at, but the English tabloids do and said: “It could take as much as ten The teenager’s death came almost two decades after Portu- nder canon law, Catholics who have sisters will never get to be born, live, not. years” to sort the customs border situ- gal became the first country to decriminalise the possession hide behind an abortion, or Catholics who vote for love, or be loved. The internet is competition for T , as ation out. and consumption of all illicit substances. The country’s abortion, are automatically excom- All TDs should have a free vote on well. T shows are being made and Britain, the Republic, and the E are opioid crisis soon stabilised, and the country has seen 13th, 14th municated from the Church. abortion. distributed online, by companies such now adrift, in looking at everything dramatic drops in problematic drug use, HIV and hepatitis in- The bishops will be held responsible, Oliver Maher as Netflix. This being so, in the future and coming out with nothing. fection rates, overdose deaths, drug-related crime, and incar- as well as the voters, who should Harold’s Road laptops smartphones may be subject Britain is getting out on exit day. ceration rates. Portugal’s remarkable recovery came about Amendments know better. If you want to stay out of D W to a “T licence” of sorts. And, ready or not, the Republic will because of an enormous cultural shift, and a change in how hell, vote to retain the Eighth Amend- Social media is damaging to proper have to put contingency measures in the country viewed drugs, addiction — and itself. Is it time we We approved the 1 th and 14th ment. Save your soul. Water system is communication, since users are place, if there is not a deal by then. followed Portugal’s example? Would Michael Cornacchia and Amendments to our Constitution. Jim Linehan anonymous, or have a handle or false The clock is ticking and, sooner or many others still be alive had we done so already? It’s hard to understand how a country Carrigtwohill name. It’s a coward’s way of saying later, there will be untold problems could vote for the right to travel to ter- Co Cork leaking money anything, and it’s very easy to tell lies. with the border and trade. Number- minate a pregnancy and to get in- Is it not time that all responsible politi- I have an ordinary mobile phone, plate recognition technology is not formation on the same, but reject cians in the Oireachtas came together which is right for my generation (I am going to do it on its own. Mandatory retirement age abortion here. It’s a not-in-my-back- Trite slogans do to sort out this sorry mess of how Irish ), as I can make and receive calls. There will have to be checks, given yard mentality that we can’t continue Water is to be funded, going forward, Finally, T advertisements presume that the nited ingdom of Great Brit- to have. not justify abortion after seeing all the mayhem that oc- everyone has the internet or a smart- ain and Northern Ireland is leaving next year. Women’s healthcare should not be On International Women’s Day, Sinn curred during the recent snow storm? phone. This is not so. The notion of associate membership exported. With the abortion pill now F in leader, Mary Lou McDonald, and We saw, daily, the rotting infrastructure Bernard Naughton Same old story is not going to fly with the E , unless it freely available on the internet, early- her deputies, stood in sheep-like that is being utilised to carry treated Farranree agrees to the free movement of term abortions are occurring every obedience outside the D il gate, all water to households. Cork day in Ireland. We can’t continue to As we are going from one disaster to people — which is the last thing in Former RTÉ employee Valerie Cox was awarded €50,000 this holding their plastic “Trust Women”, hide from this fact. another, we have no long-term plan to world it is going to do. week by the Workplace Relations Commission after it found anti-Eighth Amendment placards. Ireland is where I live, work, and pay sort out this sorry mess. Brexit negotiations The options are indeed limited and it is the broadcaster had discriminated against her on age Ms McDonald and her Sinn F in hier- about time all the nonsense ended taxes, and have my family. When I Responsible politicians (I am not grounds. Changing demographics and a pension time bomb archy might more usefully start trust- about having a frictionless border. It is chose to settle here, I didn’t think including people who are going border on chaos suggest that Ms Cox may not be the last person to take such ing their own TDs and grassroots purely aspirational and, rather than about my rights to healthcare as a around advocating that we should not an action. members to make up their own minds Northern Ireland will be leaving the waste time on it, contingencies should woman. have to pay for anything like public In the grand scheme of things, if a person is able to do a job on abortion and the Eighth, instead of E , with the rest of the , on March, be put in place now, by both govern- These constraints have only become utilities) should be able to agree to to the required standard, then their age, like their gender, imposing the rigid Sinn F in party 29, 2019. If, at that stage, an agree- ments, from the chaos that will ensue clear to me over the last few years. some reasonable way of funding this should be irrelevant but, as this case shows, that is not so. whip on them, in this, literally, life-or- ment is not reached on the border, on exit day. Irish people don’t talk openly about death issue. very necessary utility, called Irish customs officials on both sides of it will The nature of work is changing radically too so it seems women’s healthcare. Having a baby is If not, we are going to a situation appropriate that legislation around work, designed to protect We now hear that Sinn Fein has can- Water, before the whole system set up their stations. where thousands of trucks will be only discussed with respect to the celled its much-trumpeted special ard breaks down, which, for the most part, There will have to be physical inspec- workers and employers be reviewed so it might far better wonder of it. Well, it’s not always a bed lined up, awaiting clearance at both reflect an older but still capable Ireland. fheis to debate abortion until after the is almost 100 years old. tions of goods vehicles to and from sides of the border, and a litany of offi- of roses. coming referendum, when, of course, Teddy O’Mahony Northern Ireland, no matter what else Unfortunately, and it hardly seems too cynical to suggest Support only comes when people are cials from various departments de- this, but those who should lead this debate already expect their grassroots members’ views will Bandon is agreed. open and honest. manding paperwork. That is exactly exceptional pensions and enjoy an indulgent culture of early be irrelevant. Co Cork In the area of food safety, there can be Irish people have gained nothing what is going to happen without a retirement, so anything that might impinge on those ar- It’s difficult to reconcile trite, meaning- little doubt of the imperative for checks deal. The Nordic-Swedish solution good from our history of hiding, being rangements may be filed under “pending”. The majority may less catchphrases about ‘trusting and sourcing. takes only minutes to complete and fearful, being silenced. Newspapers give once again pick up the tab for the privileges of the minority. women’ with a rigid party whip on The Nordic-Swedish solution seems hauliers are under way again. It’s time to speak up. It’s time to have abortion. The abortion-on-demand, to be the only viable alternative, with a The way things are, at the moment, conversations about this important everyone a voice “trust women” mantra in Britain has re- very high level of co-operation the trucks could be there for months, topic. Let’s move forward together. sulted in 200,000 dead, aborted I am glad that the Irish Examiner still between two sets of customs officials in lieu of an agreement, while perish- elena Conlon babies per year. Ninety percent of has a letters page for readers. It gives operating two systems by throwing a able goods become worthless. Galway East Downs babies die by abortion. a fair advantage to all people to ex- switch. The talking and dithering about what Press Council of Ireland Cheap Sinn Fein photo-ops on Inter- press their points of view. Time is marching on and still there is to do cannot go on. Abortionists will be national Women’s Day, outside the It can also be one of the most interest- no sign of a breakthrough, just dither- There will be a border. It is there al- D il, are no substitute for giving your ing features in any newspaper. Due to ing on what to do. ready and there is no getting away The Irish Examiner always endeavours to be fair, accurate and honest in our TDs a free vote, without a whip, or for modern technology, An Post must be The notion of a frictionless border is reporting and in our relationships with our readers and customers. excommunicated from the fact that Northern Ireland will If you experience a problem with one of our stories please follow this procedure cancelling a special rd fh is, where feeling the pinch, too, as the price of a not tenable. not be part of the on March 29, and we will respond to you at the earliest opportunity. If a pregnant woman is in danger of grassroots Sinn Fein members could local stamp is 1. As many as 18 E countries have 2019 and will be out of the E cus- 1) 21 21 1 dying from medical complications have their voices heard on abortion. I think the previous price was 2c, an borders with various countries, and toms bloc. , , caused by pregnancy, removing the The abortion debate is deeper than increase of 28c. Newspaper sales they manage various customs sys- Time to get cracking 2) child prematurely is not against the cheap, plastic placard slogans have been hit by the internet, where tems — but not without a border of Maurice it gerald 3) , , , law, as every effort will be made to on International Women’s Day outside news is readily available, often for free, some kind. Ivor Roberts, before be- Shanbally , , , save the life of the child. the D il. and easily accessed on computers coming an Irish citizen, made it clear Co Cork We will not respond to anonymous complaints.The Irish Examiner supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and our staff operate within the code of conduct for journalists in Ireland. A copy of the code is available the PCI’s website at www.presscouncil.ie. Alternatively you may contact the PCI at . . . Ground floor, 3W estland Square, Pearse St, Dublin 2, D02 N567 Telephone: 01-6489130 • Fax: 01-6740046 • email: [email protected] Letters must include a full address and may be edited. Please include a daytime number or email for verification. Due to space constraints we cannot accept letters of more than 500 words Irish Examiner 10 Opinion Friday, 22.09.2017 President Higgins is just too old to Established 1841 Learning hard lessons serve for a second, seven-year term
O SAY someone is too old Time to put a to do something is viewed Reading by many now as an unfor- “ T givable insult. But here goes anyway — our President Mi- between the lines chael D Higgins is too old to serve a brake on car second term as President. I say this with some regret President Higgins because he has been a very fine President and a steadying and wise is actively presence at a time when we needed debt spiral? it most. But when you consider that at the end of a possible second term considering in 2025 he would be 85 years old; WE all too easily blame fate for the misfortunes that afflict us. that pushes the boundaries of any running again Fate is a convenient catchall that hides behind the fatalism active ageing initiative. underpinning the Calvinists’ Westminster Confession of There is no doubting that our Faith which declares that our lives are “freely and unchange- currently 76-year-old head of state ably ordained whatsoever comes to pass”. It suggests that is in full possession of his mental everything has been decided by a higher power and that we faculties, as he proved with the ver- are just bit players in a divine comedy. Grand, freeing work if bal wall he constructed this week you can get it. as to when he would be announcing In a world where despair seems to lurk around almost whether he would go forward for a every corner that doctrine can offer attractive options. second term, and why that an- However, anyone seduced by it will struggle to live a nouncement would be no sooner. modestly secure life because it suggests we do not need to You see he will be so busy con- learn from our mistakes so we might not repeat them. We are, centrating on the job that he will be it seems approaching a point where we will see how well we making no announcement until have learned the lessons of our recent history. We will, September next year. He has up- President Michael D Higgins would be soon enough, have to decide between blaming fate or tipping coming trips to Australia and New 85yearsoldattheendofasecondterm our hat to that eternal leveler — personal responsibility. Zealand, to countries in the Euro- There is growing evidence that we may be waltzing to- pean Union, and is likely to take up were he to run for re-election. wards another 2008 implosion when out-of-control lending an invitation to Canada proffered Picture: Denis Scannell meant banks needed massive, generation-grinding taxpayer by prime minister Justin Trudeau. intervention. The international warnings about the soaring He began an interview with level of personal debt, especially car loans, have been persist- RTÉ’s Sean O’Rourke at the true. There is a genuine affection ent for some time. The figures are so startling that they must Ploughing Championships by say- for him. People feel he does a really provoke a sense of déjà vu in anyone with eyes to see. ing he had ruled nothing out, which Alison good job as our President. But Europe’s largest car companies have more than doubled isn’t strictly true given that he did people would also recognise now the lending on their balance sheets in less than a decade. actually firmly rule out a second the intrinsic unfairness in his ap- Increased use of manufacturer-driven car financing has term way back in 2011 just after he proach of not announcing his inten- driven their exposure to consumer borrowing to record was first elected. He explained this tions until the last minute. highs. Volkswagen, BMW, Daimler, and Renault had more week he had said that after what O’Connor Indeed he must recognise it him- than a €400bn exposure to loans and leases at the end of June, had been a very long campaign. self because this is what happened according to a Financial Times analysis. To put those figures Actually even back then his age him in 2004 when he wanted to in a domestic context Bank of Ireland, at the end of last year, was a factor and this fact is what stand then for the Labour Party but had a net asset value of around €8.1bn. prompted much of the questioning wasn’t successful in getting nomi- As ever, things are bigger in America. Last year, Ameri- around a second term. nated. The tactic he is using now cans bought more new cars than ever. Car sales represent If President Higgins is to remain was used by President Mary McA- around a fifth of all US retail spending, so the record year is on for a second term he would be leese in 2004 who announced late in seen as an expression of recovering consumer confidence. over 80 for a significant part of that the day that she wanted a second That is reflected in the car-debt graph. America ended last term. I know many octogenarians term, much to his then annoyance. year just shy of $1.2tn in outstanding car loan debt, a rise of who lead full and fulfilled lives but 9% from the previous year and 13% above the pre-crisis peak the thing about being President is T SEEMS clear that if he does in 2005, in inflation-adjusted terms. The number of cars and that you are the head of state and announce his intention to trucks on the road rose by just 1.5% last year, and 9% since there are many demands on your stand for another term that 2005. Total household debt levels are barely a sliver below time. President Higgins explained even decided to do so. But there Our President, a politician who IFine Gael, Fianna Fáil and ob- their 2008 peak, with some of the fastest growth down to car during the radio interview how the was a definite disingenuity to him VIDEO:AUDIO :LIVE BLOGS :PHOTOS served 25 years in the Dáil and nine viously the Labour Party, would loans. Those trends are apparent here too — though we can- Government had asked him to go to saying he won’t answer the ques- in the Seanad, would have known not put up a candidate against him. not be exact about the amount of money tied up in personal Australia and New Zealand next tion concerning his intentions Haveyoursay well his future intentions would be What they’re not saying out loud is contract plan deals as they do not fall under the Central month. He had a “very full pro- because he is concentrating on on this issue at a question when he agreed to the in- there is also the possibility of a gen- Bank’s remit. A central credit register is being prepared and gramme”. In all honesty could any his job, and to do so would be an irishexaminer.com terview. Nevertheless he did a very eral election next year and the cost that important data will be revealed that way. Government feel fully comfortable unwise distraction. good “don’t hit me now with the of that combined with Presidential In the meantime we are sailing blind, relying on fate. Car in five years’ time asking an He mentioned the eight or so Presidency in me arms” impres- one could be ruinous. manufacturers’ self-centred loyalties were exposed by the 82-year-old man to take himself off garden parties he and his wife sion during his chat with the Radio Independent Senator Gerard emissions scandal so there is an urgency about this issue, to the southern hemisphere for a would be hosting next summer, not One presenter. Craughwell recently said he would especially as it is one more instance of how very difficult it month representing Ireland; to to mention the other functions that He also said this was “just my put his name forward to ensure has become for small national governments to manage multi- undergo the rigours of a presiden- he will host and attend over the decision, and it doesn’t affect any- there is a presidential election next national corporations’ impact on our economy and society. tial tour with all the protocol and next year. All of these people with one elses, and I’m just being dead year. But in order to secure a nomi- pomp which that entails? whom he will be interacting are en- straight and therefore I haven’t nation for Áras an Uachtaráin a No more than Enda Kenny not titled, he said, to his “full concen- ruled anything out”. This, viewed person must get the backing of at wishing to stand down, and delay- tration and that’s exactly what I’ll at its most benign, was more fox- least 20 TDs and senators, or four Farming and climate change ing as long as possible, this looks be doing”. iness from our President. local authorities. We’ve also had like a situation of someone who has Now leaving aside the fact that delivered the reasons with wonder- If he carries through on that in- the rather tantalising prospect been involved in politics all their men are acknowledged at not being ful aplomb. tention, to make the announcement of a possible run at the Áras by lives, who has reached a pinnacle good multitaskers and foreign trips He had the double advantage of next September, it leaves just one broadcaster Miriam O’Callaghan. and done a very good job, but can be arduous, and garden parties the location of the interview, out- month before his term expires, ef- If Michael D does want a second Conflicting doesn’t realise that the time has while pleasant and an important side of a radio studio, surrounded fectively cutting off any potential term he should be prepared to fight come to hang up their spurs. part of the work of any incumbent by a crowd, and also that it is not rivals at the knees. for it. But what he should really be Reading between the lines Presi- in the Áras, hardly too taxing, these really the done thing for journalists The President also spoke of how considering now is a well deserved dent Higgins is actively consider- reasons are fairly threadbare. to put our head of state through a he receives “great support from the retirement after many decades of messages ing running again, has probably Needless to say our President thorough grilling on such a matter. Irish public” and this is absolutely very fine public service.
THERE seem to be conflicting messages in the Irish Examiner/ICMSA opinion poll on how farming contributes to climate change. More than 60% of farmers have taken measures to cut greenhouse gas emissions but just half accept that farming is a negative contributor to the crisis. Letters to the editor @irishexaminer www.irishexaminer.com /irishexaminer Incredibly — there is no other word — 30% imagine that far- ming has no negative impact on climate change. Donald The Irish Examiner, Linn Dubh, Assumption Road, Blackpool, Cork. 021-4272722, fax 021-4275477, [email protected] Trump may indeed have a constituency in Ireland. With his usual assurance, the architect of Irish Water, European commissioner Phil Hogan said the poll showed the “lazy narrative” that farmers were not helping combat cli- mate change was wrong. He suggested European farmers strike against abortion that has been traffic lights let’s remane it as the Rena discuss and debate circumstances unborn child for no medical reason. have cut emissions by 23% since 1990. CSO figures show that, Stalinist undertaken by Tim Jackson of Done- Buckley Bridge. Rubber stamping that lead to situations where rape oc- Bernard Naughton in 1990, Irish farming and forestry were responsible for 37% of gal. While outlining the many condi- Rena’s place in the GAA and historical curs in order to prevent a recurrence Farranree the country’s emissions. The CSO records that that figure tions attached to his action, the former archives of Inniscarra. of this nightmare for any victim? Cork had fallen to 33% in 2014, a year before milk quotas ended. tactics used Independent election candidate made Gladys Crowley It is not beneficial for anyone to be Climate change is far too important an issue to fall into the clear that he is bereft of the capacity to Inniscarra controlled by the thought police, or urban/rural divide. It will affect farmers at least as much as appreciate irony. Co Cork only allowed to listen to approved Call a halt to the it will affect urban communities. National food production in debate Mr Jackson has stated that his protest politically correct commentary at all plans do not suggest that the farm sector, or their govern- against abortion would not bring him times. Although not a fan of George repeal of the Eighth ment partners, accept this. Much, much more, as recent “to the point of death”, a luxury sadly Hook’s ‘blame’ Hook by any means, he says things In view of the recommendations of the EPA water reports confirmed, needs to be done. A sector on abortion denied to victims of Ireland’s archaic that fellow commentators agree with, Citizens’ Assembly to allow for abor- so dependent on subsidies — more than €1bn a week under Last week a former master of abortion laws, such as Savita Halap- question pertinent but would be afraid of their lives to say tion in Ireland in extremely liberal cir- CAP — might be wise to consider if that support can be guar- panavar and Ann Lovett. He men- The blame game is a funny old game, it themselves. cumstances and of the Oireachtas anteed unless far more radical change is delivered. the Coombe Hospital, Prof Chris Fitzpatrick, complained that people tioned on the Newstalk’s Moncrieff someone once said; how right they My opinion, is that he should have committee’s proposed deliberations are “firmly pro-choice or pro-life; show that he doesn’t think the strike is were. George Hook comes across as stood his ground on the blame issue, on this issue, I wonder where the voice nobody seems to live in the space in “...worth picking up the colds and a grumpy old so-and-so — and in real- rather than apologising for drawing of the unborn child is to be heard. It Changing faces of Ireland between”. This is a classic Hegelian flus...” over, so clearly protecting his ity he probably is. However that attention to behavioural attitudes seems the Government, backed by a dialectic; a tactic employed by Stalin own health is deemed an acceptable doesn’t mean he should be ridiculed that in some instances lead to dire compliant media, is determined to re- no less: The revolutionaries try limitation on his undertaking. Sadly, by all and sundry, for asking a very consequences’ which foresight could move the human rights of the most to create two “extremists” and then this option is denied to pregnant Irish pertinent question: “Is there no blame have helped to prevent. vulnerable in our society, particularly if attempt to portray themselves as the women, who must be in danger of now to the person who puts them- James Woods they are less than perfect or suffering sane voice of reason looking for the death before a termination can be selves in danger?” Gort an Choirce from a pre-natal illness. We only need Rainbow nation Dún na nGall rational middle ground. considered. Mr Jackson also appears My computer tells me this is the to look across the water where a lib- On one hand, there is the pro-abortion oblivious to the fact that a pregnant wording contained in Mr Hook’s eral abortion regime has led to 90% of move that demands abortion right up woman staging the same protest query, during a radio discussion on Who sends women babies, diagnosed with Down syn- THE latest tranche of census results shows that there has would likely result in a High Court drome in the womb, being aborted. been a drop in the number of non-Irish living here. It also to birth for any reason. On the other the subject of a specific rape case. order determining that she be force The Eighth Amendment exists to pro- shows that this remains an attractive country, with a 90% hand there are the pro-life groups who Many of us have put ourselves and fed, as seen in the case of Miss Y. away for abortions? tect both mother and unborn child, to increase in the number of people who hold dual citizenship, think the unborn child is a human others in danger at some point, While I find Mr Jackson’s commitment I object to your headline: ‘We can’t remove the rights of the child is a de- up from 55,905 to 104,784. We must be doing something being who should have the full protec- whether its overreaching on a ladder to oppression repugnant, I am glad keep sending women to England for right. tion of the law. Difficulty is an abortion while cleaning the guttering, using the nial of the very concept of human that he is free to exercise his inalien- abortion’ (Irish Examiner, September Mayo might not have brought Sam home, but the country is a matter of a child being alive or phone while driving, or worse again rights. Part of the function of laws in able right to bodily autonomy. We 12). We are not sending them, I am not can take some comfort in the fact that Ballyhaunis is the most being killed before his or her birth. drinking and driving, so in that respect society is to protect the weak from the must now fight to ensure that those sending them; it’s their own decision, multicultural town in the country. Almost 40% of its popu- It does not appear that there is any we must assume responsibility for our strong. It is to be hoped that our legis- “in between” area between life and same rights are extended to every actions. perhaps they get bad advice. lators will call a halt to these aggres- lation of 3,056 — 941 people — are non-Irish citizens. citizen of this country, by ending our Cork City saw the largest increase in the number of death. Prof Fitzpatrick gave his I have worked as a doorman for many England’s abortion clinics are no sive attempts to repeal the Eighth. Constitutionally endorsed oppression resident non-Irish, up 2,505, marking a 17.2% increase in opinion on when abortion should be years in various nightclubs in Donegal answer for our sisters problems. Tony Curran of Irish women. diversity, suggesting that the Rebel County may soon become permitted. Similar consideration was and London, and I can say within rea- Mícheál Ó Lionsaigh Firhouse the Rainbow County. presented at the Citizens Assembly Robert O’Sullivan son that I’ve seen it all. On numerous Baile Mhic Ire Dublin 24 Hinting at the problems of assimilation facing all of Eu- earlier this year by Dr Anthony Levati- St Luke’s Cross occasions, I have persuaded reluctant Co Chorcaigh rope, nearly 40,000 people who were born in Ireland did not no. As a former abortionist who has Cork taxi drivers to take home both males Superb TV show identify themselves as Irish. In a society whereemigration is practiced obstetrics and gynecology and females who were so drunk they Ambiguity of the a permanent reality, this is somewhat understandable, but it since 1980, he cautioned that firstly Rename bridge in couldn’t stand on their own two feet, is also a warning that something is not quite right. abortion would be permitted only in and others who could barely string on schizophrenia “hard cases”, then it would be for two words together. I have witnessed Eighth explained Well done to everone who appeared in “health of the mother” and eventually honour of Rena people engage in various sexual acts I am inclined to think the Eighth the schizophrenia documentary it will be performed for any reason Dr I would like to congratulate Rena with others who they just met, all Amendment is a little ambiguous to a Schizophrenia: The Voices in My Head Levatino warned Irish people saying: Buckley and let her know she have through being intoxicated. I have had lot of people: “A mother and unborn on RTÉ 2 (September 19) including “If you let this genie out of the bottle, done Cork proud and more especially stories recounted to me of people child’s equal right to life.” Rita Bourke from Clonmel . It was a Press Council of Ireland you will not be able to put it back”. to the people of Inniscarra. Her place waking up and not having a clue I emphasise here that the mother has very well-made documentary and Anna Walsh is assured in the history of the GAA; 18 who’s bed they were in, or what they an equal right to life; the baby has no allowed sufferers to tell their stories in Dunmore East All-Ireland medals will stand the test of had engaged in with the person lying priority over the mother’s life. I am no their own words. A lot of modern The Irish Examiner always endeavours to be fair, accurate and honest in our Co Waterford next to them. In these type of in- reporting and in our relationships with our readers and customers. time. It is our turn now to repay the solicitor but what it means is that the documentary is focused on the pres- If you experience a problem with one of our stories please follow this procedure honours so let’s get working. Let’s stances, the blame has to be shared. I doctor is dealing with two lives, and enter and how wonderful they are. and we will respond to you at the earliest opportunity. Ironic actions in form a team with Cork County Council think Mr Hook was right to pose the has to keep both alive. If in trying Ordinary people are much more inter- 1) Telephone us on 021 4802101. and the local citizens to revamp In- question, although in some contexts it to keep the mother alive the unborn esting than the so called celebrity Please provide your name, contact details, a daytime telephone number niscarra bridge. The prize would be a may be uncomfortable to do so, but at child dies, this is not abortion, and is presenter. and asummary of your complaint or observation. protest by Jackson 2) Alternatively you may email us these details on [email protected] lower blood pressure for all of us who the same time it created hysteria for all allowed by Church and State. John Williams 3) You may also write to the Editor, at the Irish Examiner, Linn Dubh, I note with some mild amusement, have to negotiate a safe crossing the wrong reasons. I would also emphasise that abortion Clonmel Assumption Road, Blackpool, Cork City, Ireland. and considerable disgust, the hunger daily. When complete with glowing We have to be grown up enough to is the deliberate killing of the innocent Co Tipperary We will not respond to anonymous complaints.The Irish Examiner supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and our staff operate within the code of conduct for journalists in Ireland.Acopy of the code is available the PCI’s website at www.presscouncil.ie. Alternatively you may contact the PCI at ... Ground floor, 3 Westland Square, Pearse St, Dublin 2, D02 N567 Telephone: 01-6489130 • Fax: 01-6740046 • email: [email protected] Letters must include a full address and may be edited. Please include a daytime number or email for verification. Due to space constraints we cannot accept letters of more than 500 words