Extreme voices are demeaning debate

It may be a forlorn hope, but it is nonetheless important to advocate that the debate on the Eighth Amendment be at least civilised and that campaigners treat each other with the respect and dignity they would demand from their opponents.

Sadly, it may be too late. At least three Dublin hotels have cancelled bookings for various meetings because of “intimidation” by rival factions.

A hotel in Cork would not discuss the issue and declined to confirm that a scheduled meeting would go ahead today.