Leadership Lacking On Abortion

Irish Daily Mirror Editorial Thursday May 10th 2007.

LEADERSHIP LACKING ON ABORTION

The Miss D case has shown once again this country has still not face up to the abortion issue.
The fact it ended up in the courts is proof of officialdom's reluctance to live up to its responsibilities. Instead of helping out this vulnerable young girl those charged with protecting her reported her to the gardaí.

This was a complete abdication of responsibility on the part of the HSE. It should never have ended up the courts and Mr Justice McKechnie was right to criticise the HSE for their cowardice and incompetence.

This case was not about abortion but a citizen's right to travel. It was also clear the fall-out from the X case continues to influence decision making in the HSE.

Mr Justice McKechnie rightly highlighted something which the health services appeared to forget- that they were dealing with a vulnerable girl who knew her baby would soon die.

For decades Ireland has happily buried its head in the sand instead of confronting the tragedy of abortion. We have had two divisive referenda thanks to Government's unwillingness to legislate.

Unfortunately there will be many more Miss D's in this country unless politicians have the courage to deal what with what is dlearly a serious health issue and not a political one.