Abortion laws - Times have not changed that much

Hardly is the ink dry on the Government’s decision to introduce legislation to give effect to the Supreme Court’s ruling in the X Case, than the deep fissures that divided Irish society on the question of abortion in the past are re-emerging with all the bitterness and rancour.

It is a depressing reminder that in this country certain views are not merely rigidly held but are set in concrete. An indication of what to expect in the coming months, it proves beyond a shadow of doubt that the acrimony surrounding this vexed topic has not dissipated one whit.

No sooner had the Catholic hierarchy fired a first volley against the move than Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte replied with a salvo from the Coalition bunker. “Taken aback” by the vigour of the language used in early interventions by the bishops, he said he was especially surprised as the wording of legislation had not yet been published.