The right to decide

The Irish Institute of Psychiatrists announced recently that they are not willing to be the country’s ‘social policemen’.

Now that the Catholic Church no longer have the power to play that role in Ireland, they and their well-financed US backers are changing tack and seeking to force others to fulfil it.

I commend the Institute for refusing to be put in this position.

The Catholic Church didn’t want divorce, contraception or homosexuality to be legal in this country, and fought against each of them.

Thankfully, they were defeated and now adults can take responsible decisions about their own lives.

Now I’m not anti-religion, and I fully believe that people should have freedom of conscience.

But no one has the right to impose their view on others.

Legislation on the X case has to be truly accessible, and women should have the right to decide for themselves.

John Ó Donnabhain

Landscape Terrace

Sunday’s Well

Cork