No legal standing

THE comments by Cllr Joe Kelly (Letters, January 26) on a recent European Parliament resolution are inaccurate and misleading.

The resolution — a wide-ranging review of the situation of fundamental rights in the EU over the period 2004-2008 — has no legal standing and is a report to the EU institutions.

It does not, as Cllr Kelly asserts, guarantee access to abortion in Ireland. Nor does it impose same-sex unions on this or any other EU member state. The situation on abortion is clear. This is a matter for Irish legislation alone and that fact is further underwritten by a protocol attached to the existing EU treaties and to the Lisbon Treaty.

The same situation applies to same-sex unions. The Irish Government will shortly introduce legislation for civil partnerships in this country, as is its sovereign right. The EU cannot dictate to Ireland on these important matters. The Charter of Fundamental Rights cannot change this.

Tony Brown

Bettyglen

Raheny

Dublin 5