Abortion Services 2020-03-18
2020-03-18
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Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
Flybe, a regional airline, has collapsed affecting the travel arrangements for women needing to access abortion services in England.
The Government have been working with the British Pregnancy Advisory Service and rebooking flights for those affected by Flybe's collapse. Given that abortion was decriminalised in October 2019 but not implemented due to political delays, how can further action be taken now considering the current covid-19 situation?
The Government are under a clear duty to deliver abortion reform for Northern Ireland as per section 9 of the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019, requiring evidence-based protocols. Regulations will be laid by the end of March to meet this legal obligation.
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Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
The DUP opposes abortion legislation being passed by the UK Parliament despite the recent restoration of the Northern Ireland Assembly.
With the newly restored Northern Ireland Assembly, why is the UK Government pressing ahead with regulations on abortion when this matter should be handled by the devolved government?
The deadlines were set by Parliament, making it clear that if the Assembly was not in place by October's deadline, the Government would have a legal obligation to lay regulations by March. This is the constitutional challenge we face.
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