Let’s have a straight answer on stem cells
Mary Harney’s comments are misleading and incorrect. The Government has publicly stated, in the EU institutions and in Ireland, that such research is not possible in this country.
Now the Tánaiste is stating the opposite. It is time that the Government clarified its agenda on this issue.
The Tánaiste is also claiming that the issue of EU funding of destructive embryo research cannot be resolved during Ireland’s EU presidency.
An explanation is required as to why she believes this to be the case.
There was certainly great pressure to resolve the issue during the current Italian presidency.
The vote on the public funding of embryo stem cell research was again postponed on December 3 because the EU commission did not receive the support it needed from member states to initiate this kind of unethical research funding.
However, the commission and our Government refused to support a compromise proposal.
The Tánaiste and Taoiseach must declare whether or not they personally support embryo research funding and are seeking to facilitate it in Ireland.
Dana Rosemary Scallon, MEP,
6, Colonial Buildings,
Eglinton Street,
Galway.
