The limits of free speech and academic freedom in this republic of ours is something that now needs serious debate, lest we find ourselves in a communist-controlled state.

Michael Clifford's article last week sums up the type of orthodox reactionaries we have in this country to anything that challenges the status quo of no change. There is of course a pungent Catholic smell to reactionists who engage in shouting people down and hijacking platforms paid for by others, who want to engage in debate that challenges conventional thinking.

Euthanasia, like all other life issues close to the heart of the Catholic church, cannot be discussed in this country without aggressive and sometimes violent confrontation with fundamentalists. Whether it's abortion, contraception, embryonic research, gay rights, or anything that would offend the Catholic church – it's put down as an evil that must be stopped.

The case for euthanasia is one of compassion for those suffering in great pain or incapacity where there is little or no hope.

Those opposing euthanasia are using language such as "killing"; there is a difference between taking a person's life unlawfully and acting compassionately to relieve long-term suffering.

In any case, it should be possible to discuss any issue, certainly in an academic forum, without problems from hijackers who have their minds made up long before anybody utters a word.

So much for the freedom of Ireland.

Maurice Fitzgerald,

Shanbally,

Co Cork.