Monthly Archives: October 2019

Members of Northern Ireland’s assembly are due to return to the mothballed chamber on Monday for the first time in almost three years to protest against the extension of abortion rights to Northern Ireland. The Democratic Unionist party (DUP) and other anti-abortion members will stage what is expected to be a largely symbolic recall of the assembly at Stormont. The region’s near-blanket ban on abortion is due to end at midnight on Monday after a historic vote in the House of Commons last July to bring Northern Ireland into line with the rest of the UK. Last week the anti-abortion campaign group Both Lives Matter said 31 members of the legislative assembly (MLAs), including 27 from the DUP, signed a petition to force a recall to discuss a motion to put abortion rights back in the hands of local politicians. However to block the law the special sitting will need … Continue reading →

Image copyright AFP Image caption Abortion and same-sex marriage laws will change unless devolution is restored by midnight on Monday Some of Stormont’s assembly members will return to the chamber later for the first time in nearly three years, after a petition triggered a recall. The move was proposed in a last-ditch attempt to stop the reform of Northern Ireland’s abortion law. Laws on abortion and same-sex marriage will change unless devolution is restored by midnight on Monday. So the recall will not affect the impending law changes as it would need an executive to be appointed too. Stormont’s power-sharing government collapsed two-and-a-half years ago amid a bitter row between the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and Sinn Féin. MPs in the House of Commons have since passed some key legislation for Northern Ireland. The bid to recall the assembly had been proposed by Northern Ireland peer Baroness O’Loan, who opposes … Continue reading →

Alliance leader Naomi Long Alliance leader Naomi Long has confirmed her party will not attend Monday’s recall of the Assembly, calling it a “cynical political stunt”. The Assembly was recalled after a petition was signed by 31 MLAs to discuss a motion to put the issue of abortion back in the hands of local politicians. Liberalisation of abortion and the introduction of same-sex marriage will come into force in Northern Ireland if the Stormont Assembly is not restored by October 22. A ministerial Executive will only be formed once the DUP and Sinn Fein agree to re-enter into a coalition. Naomi Long MEP said: “Alliance’s MLAs have discussed this with colleagues and have decided to not attend Monday’s sitting of the Assembly. “It is a cynical political stunt, which has no prospect of leading to the formation of an Executive, but it will increase acrimony between parties and bring the … Continue reading →

Doug Beattie By Gareth Cross and Mark Edwards October 18 2019 11:12 AM UUP MLA Doug Beattie has tabled his own recall petition to have Stormont sit for a second day on Tuesday. Mr Beattie wants MLAs the Assembly to meet to discuss the effect of 1,000 days without devolution on Northern Ireland. MLAs are set to return to the Stormont chamber for the first time since 2017 on Monday to discuss changes to Northern Ireland’s abortion laws introduced from Westminster. Anti-abortion campaign group Both Lives Matter said 31 MLAs had signed a petition to force a recall of the Assembly to discuss a motion to put the issue back in the hands of local politicians. However, a ministerial executive will only be formed once the DUP and Sinn Fein resolve their long-standing differences and agree to enter into a coalition again. The UUP’s Steve Aiken said his party would attend, … Continue reading →

A rally against abortion law reform took place earlier this year A rally for abortion law reform from earlier this year Political leaders have been urged to “face up to their responsibility” as MLAs return to Stormont in a last-ditch bid to stop reform of Northern Ireland’s abortion law. Anti-abortion group Both Lives Matter said 31 MLAs had signed a petition to force a recall of the Assembly to discuss a motion to put the issue back in the hands of local politicians. However, a ministerial Executive will only be formed once the DUP and Sinn Fein agree to re-enter into a coalition. Naomi Connor, Alliance for Choice co-convener, said the recall would not deter those fighting for the rights of women in Northern Ireland. “The motion has one sole agenda: to obstruct the fulfilment of the human rights of women,” she said. “It is not a genuine attempt to … Continue reading →