Parents should be able to choose whether abortion is right for them

Victoria White wrote that “creating categories of abortable babies...does nothing to question our baby-killing social and economic values”. (Irish Examiner, January 7).

I’m rather nonplussed at this concluding line of a most peculiar article. White seems to contradict her sentiments of “the only arbiter as to whether a pregnancy should continue or not should be the woman herself”. If my interpretation is incorrect, White has not helped herself by not establishing a more concise viewpoint.

I am unaware as to whether she would support abortion in some cases.

On demand? Never?

In addition, White mentions there being “political and public support for abortion in cases of FFA”, adding that this is less so in “pregnancies following rape or incest”.

Au contraire, Victoria. This paper published a poll on July 9, 2015, which found that 81% supported access to abortion in cases of rape, incest, FFA or risk to health/life.

A huge proportion of the Irish population supports abortion in such cases, as women are subject to draconian criminal legislation.

Imposing these laws on women is inhumane — and many Irish citizens recognise this.

A majority of Irish people do not wish to open the floodgates to abortion-on-demand.

However, I believe that a majority of Irish people recognise that the mother — and, indeed, the father — has a right to choose what is in the best interest of herself and her potential son or daughter.

If that means, unfortunately, aborting the foetus, then we need to face up to these decisions and treat all the lives involved with respect. It is disappointing that many people do not want to trust parents to make the right decision. It is never, ever an easy decision to abort a child — anyone who rejects this is unfortunately escaping the truth.

Garry O’Sullivan

Ballinagree

Macroom

Co. Cork