Dismay at Government nod to embryo research

IT IS disturbing that the Government chose to go against our constitutional protection of life from conception when it supported funding embryo research in the EU at the “competitiveness meeting” in Brussels despite petitions that they would not do so.

This action is at complete odds with the “guarantee” given by the Government at the time of the last pro-life referendum when they stated that their then proposed wording afforded protection for the child embryo.

Even though such funding is both unethical and unconstitutional, a spokesperson for the Department of Employment, Trade and Enterprise stated that the Government would not oppose the EU initiative to fund embryo research.

It is appalling that life-and-death issues are now deemed trade and enterprise. Irish taxpayers must question how and why the Government continues to misuse their money in such a controversial, unethical and unconstitutional way.

It is time to question why our political representatives continue to ignore and undermine Ireland’s constitution to appease the EU agenda.

I note the deafening silence from opposition parties on the issue.

If our political leaders have such disdain for our constitution then let them stand aside or at least be honest enough to tell the people they have ignored it.

Dáil Éireann must not become Dáil Europe and that our constitution must not be set aside in this insidious manner.

Dana Rosemary Scallon, MEP,

6, Colonial Buildings,

Eglinton Street,

Galway.