Referendum only way to settle divisive abortion issue

THE fact Savita Halappanavar’s life may not have been saved by the X case legislation now going through the Dáil is testament to its stark limitations.

For all the abuse TDs are getting from the more extreme wing of the anti-abortion lobby, this law will change very little.

A 14-year-old rape victim would still be forced to go through with a resultant pregnancy, and a woman who knows the foetus she is carrying cannot go full-term will also have no choice but to continue with the grim experience.