Asked by: Stella Creasy (Labour (Co-op) - Walthamstow)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to the Answer of 18 May 2020 to Question 46639, what assessment he has made of the effect on the provision of abortion services in Northern Ireland under Section 9 of the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc.) Act 2019 of the cessation of the recently introduced early medical abortion service.
Answered by Robin Walker
As the honourable Member is aware, the Abortion (Northern Ireland) (No.2) Regulations 2020 we made have been in place since 31 March 2020. Since then, we have been dealing with the response to Covid-19 right across the UK. I very much welcome the services that have been operating on the ground in Northern Ireland through existing sexual and reproductive health clinics across the health and social care trusts.
I hope that these services can continue, and those that have ceased can resume, in parallel to longer-term services being commissioned as soon as possible, together with appropriate support and guidance in place so that access is available locally in all cases set out in the regulations, and that both women and clinicians are well supported. The Government and Department are continuing to engage on this issue with the Executive and the Northern Ireland Minister of Health in particular and his department.
Asked by: Stella Creasy (Labour (Co-op) - Walthamstow)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, with reference to the statement of 26 June 2020 from the Minister of Health in Northern Ireland that decisions remain to be taken on the commissioning of abortion services in NI’s health service. Commissioning is a significant process that will require a public consultation. It will clearly be matter for the Executive and Assembly as well as the Department, and pursuant to the Answer of 6 July 2020 to Question 66853 on Abortion: Northern Ireland, what steps he is taking to fulfil his obligation under section 9 of the Northern Ireland Formation Act 2019 to ensure that the recommendations in paragraphs 85 and 86 of the CEDAW report are implemented.
Answered by Robin Walker
In accordance with section 9 of the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc.) Act 2019, regulations are now in place to make provision for accessing abortions in Northern Ireland. These regulations implement several of the recommendations in paragraphs 85 and 86 of the CEDAW report.
The Government response to the consultation sets out how the Government is ensuring implementation of all of the recommendations that remain outstanding. We will continue to work closely with the relevant Northern Ireland departments, where relevant, in continuing to progress this work over the coming months.
Asked by: Stella Creasy (Labour (Co-op) - Walthamstow)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to the Answer of 1 June 2020 to Question 51932, on Abortion: Northern Ireland, and with reference to the statement of 26 June 2020 from the Minister of Health in Northern Ireland that, Decisions remain to be taken on the commissioning of abortion services in NI’s health service. Commissioning is a significant process that will require a public consultation. It will clearly be matter for the Executive and Assembly as well as the Department, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of exercising his powers under section 26 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 to direct the Department of Health in Northern Ireland to commission services to comply with section 9 of the Northern Ireland Executive Formation Act 2019.
Answered by Robin Walker
I refer to my answer to Question 51932. The duty to implement the CEDAW recommendations under section 9 of the Northern Ireland Executive Formation Act is a matter of domestic, not international, law, and as such we have not yet considered making an assessment of exercising powers under section 26 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.
We hope that longer term services can be commissioned as soon as possible in Northern Ireland, consistent with the Regulations and we will continue to work with the relevant Northern Ireland departments to achieve this.
Asked by: Stella Creasy (Labour (Co-op) - Walthamstow)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to the Answer of 18 May 2020 to Question 46639, on Abortion: Northern Ireland, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of exercising his powers under section 26 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 to direct the Department of Health in Northern Ireland to commission services to comply with section 9 of the Northern Ireland Executive Formation Act 2019.
Answered by Robin Walker
In accordance with section 9 of the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc.) Act 2019, regulations are now in place to make provision for accessing abortions in Northern Ireland.
The duty to implement the CEDAW recommendations under section 9 of the NIEF Act is a matter of domestic, not international, law.
Therefore we have not yet considered making an assessment of exercising powers under section 26 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.
We hope that longer term services can be commissioned as soon as possible in Northern Ireland, consistent with the Regulations and we will continue to work with them to achieve this.