I refer to the article titled “Malta now only EU country without life saving abortion law,” (TMIS, 14 July).

There is no such thing as a life-saving abortion. Abortion is always life ending, as it takes the life of an unborn baby and can cause physical and/or psychological damage to the mother.

The Irish abortion law is not about protecting life during pregnancy, it is about legalising abortions in Irish hospitals, throughout the full nine months of pregnancy, on grounds such as threatened suicide.

This law was forced through the Oireachtas (the Irish Parliament) by the Irish government using a whipped vote, despite the fact that the evidence, such as that heard at the Oireachtas public hearings on abortion earlier this year, shows that abortion is not an appropriate treatment for suicidal feelings.

This abortion law is a life-ending, regressive step for Ireland, and will be a disaster for mothers, babies and the Irish medical system.

People in Malta are privileged to live in a country where the law still respects and protects life, both born and unborn. That is something that Malta should be proud of!

Mary O'Byrne

Galway For Life

GALWAY

IRELAND