I have been involved in the caring side of the Pro-Life movement for the last thirty years and have seen at first hand the difficulties of getting this caring side into the public domain. This is not unique to issues relating to pregnancy care but to many of the organisations working day to day to help those in need of support, be it financial, emotional, the need for housing etc. or working to improve and protect the environment. The political will to act is largely absent because the demand is not experienced on the door steps. So in truth the poor social services we have are due to our failure to demand them from the government, preferring, it seems to indulge in a low tax regime for the benefit of the richer segments of our society.

When assessing the handling of Referendum related issues in the media it is important to know that the National Union of Journalists has, for over thirty years, had as its official policy to facilitate the spread of abortion availability. How a media union can have any policy other than to present the news in as truthful a manner as possible, with the minimum of distortion or slant I cannot understand. It is not just each individual report, which may be true in itself, but those reports and opinions which do not get reported at all so that the overall balance subtly pushes a particular position.

You will find here letters which are unpublished and answers to articles taken from here and there concerned with issues relating to the Repeal the Eighth Amendment campaign. The articles are factual, but no doubt disputed by some, but are worthy of thought rather than an emotional response.

Whichever way the Referendum goes it is going to shape Irish society for many years to come, but more than that it will also have an impact across the world, perhaps because we are English speaking, perhaps because, incorrectly, Ireland is still seen by many as being a Catholic country, so decisions taken are seen as being Catholic decisions, perhaps because of the very long and hugely valuable engagement with the developing world where so many are grateful to Ireland for education and health services which still receive support and so they still look to Ireland for guidance. Whatever the reasons, the results of the referendum will resonate far beyond our shores. A fact well recognised by those who anticipate a greatly increased support for the removal of all faith based influences in political and societal activities.