It’s time to act - Mrs Higgins’ comments criticised

SABINA HIGGINS, wife of President Michael D Higgins, cannot be surprised that her remarks about abortion and foetal abnormalities have been labelled as “calculated and inappropriate” by those opposed to changes in abortion legislation. 

However, she can take consolation in the fact that her position reflects today’s majority view.

In reference to fatal foetal abnormalities, after a debate in Trinity College Dublin last week, Mrs Higgins said it was an “outrage” that in the case of “foetal abnormality”, a person should be “made carry” the baby.

Anti-abortion activists have challenged even Mrs Higgins’ right to make such a statement and pointed out that she has shared a platform with advocates who called for the repeal of the Eight Amendment to the Constitution.

It would not take a political scientist of the first or even second rank to imagine that Taoiseach Enda Kenny will bequeath this incendiary issue, and resolving the Eight Amendment difficulties, to his eventual successor. It will, however, have to be dealt with in time. The issue is simply unavoidable.