Moderates must not be cowed by zealots

In the few days since Savita Halappenavar’s tragic death came to dominate the news cycle, we have had a glimpse of why this issue is so toxic and so difficult to resolve.

We have all been reminded, as if we could forget, why politicians run for cover when the subject pushes its way back onto the public stage.

Public and private discussions almost all reveal a depth of feeling that makes rational thought or action all but impossible. Emotion dominates debate virtually to the exclusion of any other influence. This is to the detriment of all involved, especially to the next woman unfortunate enough to find herself in the same unacceptable position as Savita Halappenavar.

As was seen during the recent presidential election, America has been deeply divided and weakened by its culture wars. We are, on this issue at least, running the risk of following suit and being rendered impotent by the polarisation of absolutes. Both sides — especially their extreme wings — are so far apart that it is almost pointless to even talk of reaching a compromise, of reaching a middle ground where the rights and fears of all can be accommodated, assuaged, and recognised.

Discussions that open in a constructive and respectful way between ordinarily composed, civilised and decent people too often end with vitriolic, ugly, personal attacks. Discourse seems to deepen divisions and turns dialogue into an occasion for acrimony rather than understanding ultimately leading to an agreed solution.

Both sides, to put it at its kindest, make claims that are far-fetched, each one adding fuel to an already enflamed debate.

Indeed, pro-life campaigners, speaking at a church-gate rally, tried to organise a boycott of this newspaper alleging incorrectly that it is pro-abortion. Though nothing could be further from the truth, the claim was made with conviction and impunity. Had this or any other newspaper made equally inaccurate claims about an individual, the laws of libel would have been invoked immediately. Many other media and individuals have been subject to similarly wild and destructive claims.

Equally, Savita Halappenavar’s death has seen the hoary claims about a media conspiracy to have abortion legalised in Ireland aired one more time. Getting such a disparate group to conspire on any issue, much less one as serious as this, is beyond the wildest imaginings of even Dr Strangelove. Nevertheless, those who make these false claims remain convinced that there is such a co-ordinated campaign in the newsrooms of Ireland. The claim would be laughable if it wasn’t so daft, divisive, and dangerous.

The ambiguity that led to Savita Halappenavar’s death is an affront to the humanity that the great majority of Irish people live their lives by. It must, as so many senior medical people (none of them abortionists), have said over recent days, be resolved. That means neither set of extremists will get their way, but they will have to realise that their positions are unacceptable to the great majority of Irish people.

Let us hope sanity and decency prevail and that our Government, as quickly as is possible, ends 30 years of hypocrisy and intimidation on the issue before extremists’ intolerance divides this society further. It is time for the great majority in the middle ground to make their voice heard so we never again expose a woman to the barbarisms that ended Savita Halappenavar’s life. Not only is it time to resolve outstanding legislative issues, it is time to confront zealots of all hues.