N. Ireland – Supreme Court says bill to ban anti-abortion protests at clinics is lawful

Dec 7, 2022
By Jayne McCormack, BBC News NI political correspondent

A bill to ban anti-abortion protests at Northern Ireland health clinics does not "disproportionately interfere" with protesters' rights, the Supreme Court has ruled.

Former assembly member Clare Bailey developed the bill to set up so-called safe access zones outside clinics where abortions are carried out.

It was voted through the assembly in March by a majority of parties. It was delayed from becoming law after the attorney general intervened.

Continued: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-63886414

Abortion: DUP bill to stop terminations for non-fatal disabilities rejected

By Jayne McCormack, BBC News NI political correspondent
Dec 14, 2021

A DUP bill to prevent abortions in Northern Ireland in cases of non-fatal disabilities has effectively fallen after a tight vote at Stormont.

Assembly members (MLAs) voted by 45 to 42 to reject the principles of the bill after its consideration stage debate.

Continued: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-59660274

NI health trust pauses abortion service referrals due to shortage of nurses

Eimear McGovern
April 23 2021

A Northern Ireland health trust has paused abortion service referrals due to a shortage of nurses and medical support.

The Western Trust said yesterday that referrals would no longer be accepted until further options can be explored to provide the service, adding they were working to minimise any disruption.

Continued: https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/ni-health-trust-pauses-abortion-service-referrals-due-to-shortage-of-nurses-40349454.html

23.04.2021

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Paula Bradshaw

reproductive rights in Northern Ireland

N. Ireland – Abortion: New powers not taken lightly, says Brandon Lewis

Published March 23, 2021

The decision to introduce new powers compelling Stormont to implement abortion laws has not been taken lightly, Brandon Lewis has said.

The government has published regulations allowing the NI secretary to direct commissioning of central abortion services in NI.

Continued: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-56485487

Abortion: Assembly backs change in NI abortion law

March 15, 2021

A bill which seeks to amend the law in Northern Ireland to prevent abortions in cases of non-fatal disabilities, including Down's Syndrome, has been backed by a majority of MLAs.

The Severe Fetal Impairment Bill, brought by DUP MLA Paul Givan, passed its second stage by 48 votes to 12.

Continued: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-56404024

NI abortion law changes referred to Human Rights Commission

By Stephen Walker, BBC News NI Political Correspondent
March 8, 2021

The NI Assembly has agreed to refer planned abortion legislation to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.

DUP assembly member (MLA) Paul Givan brought forward the bill, which aims to prevent abortions for conditions such as Down's Syndrome and cleft palate.

Continued: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-56315956

08.03.2021

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Northern Ireland abortion law changes proposed by the DUP

By Jayne McCormack, BBC News NI Political Reporter
Feb 16, 2021

The DUP has proposed a new law to prevent abortions being carried out in NI in cases of non-fatal disabilities.

NI's abortion laws changed significantly last year following legislation passed at Westminster.

Continued: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-politics-56041850

Bid to repeal aspect of North’s abortion laws tabled at Stormont

Bill targets provision that allows terminations up to birth in cases of serious disability

Tue, Feb 16, 2021

A legislative attempt to repeal an aspect of Northern Ireland’s recently-liberalised abortion laws has been formally tabled at Stormont.

The Private Members’ Bill in the name of Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) MLA Paul Givan targets a specific provision within the region’s abortion regulations that allows terminations up to birth in cases of serious non-fatal disabilities.

Continued: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/bid-to-repeal-aspect-of-north-s-abortion-laws-tabled-at-stormont-1.4486483

Abortion: Assembly rejects recent changes to NI laws

Abortion: Assembly rejects recent changes to NI laws

By Jayne McCormack
BBC News NI Political Reporter
June 2, 2020

The NI Assembly has voted to pass a motion to reject recent changes to abortion laws in Northern Ireland. New abortion regulations drawn up by Westminster came into force in March after a vote in 2019.

The motion, brought by the DUP, passed by 46 votes to 40. The vote has no effect on the laws but the DUP said it would send a message to Westminster that the regulations are not supported by Stormont.

Continued: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-52878836

British provider to post abortion pills to ensure Northern Irish women have access during pandemic

British provider to post abortion pills to ensure Northern Irish women have access during pandemic
It said that under Northern Irish law it was only legally permitted to provide abortion for the purpose of preventing grave, permanent injury to the woman's physical or mental health

Amanda Ferguson, Reuters
April 9, 2020

BELFAST — Britain’s leading provider of abortions said it will offer abortion pills to women in Northern Ireland by post to avoid them having to travel to England by ferry now that the coronavirus pandemic has closed air traffic.

Although abortion was decriminalized in Northern Ireland last year, it remains unavailable in the British region after the local health ministry missed an April 1 deadline to begin providing terminations.

Continued: https://nationalpost.com/news/world/british-provider-to-post-abortion-pills-to-ensure-n-irish-women-have-access