We must act fast on abortion — but let’s get it right this time

‘THE failure by the legislature to enact the appropriate legislation is no longer just unfortunate; it is inexcusable.

What are pregnant women to do? What are the parents of a pregnant girl under age to do? What are the medical profession to do? They have no guidelines save what may be gleaned from the judgments in this case. What additional considerations are there? Is the victim of rape, statutory or otherwise, or the victim of incest, finding herself pregnant, to be assessed in a manner different from others?”

They were the words of Judge Niall McCarthy in the Supreme Court, 20 years ago. His famous judgment on the X case asserted passionately that legislation was urgent. And if it was urgent then, how much more urgent is it now? And yet. When you have to choose between doing a thing fast and doing it right, it’s almost always better to do it right. Think bank guarantee, think bailout. Every time government is rushed into something, or allows itself to be, the result is nearly always disastrous.