House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement
Northern Ireland Update
19 May 2022 · Northern Ireland Office
Proposed by Brandon Lewis Con Great Yarmouth
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
At a glance
Key points
- The legal duty to provide abortion services in Northern Ireland under Section 9 of the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Act 2019 is being addressed.
- The minister is laying regulations to ensure that the Department of Health commissions and funds abortion services without further delay.
- If the Department of Health does not comply, the minister will intervene further with support from a small team established in the Northern Ireland Office.
Issue summary
The statement addresses the legal duty to provide abortion services in Northern Ireland under Section 9 of the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Act 2019.
Action requested
The minister is laying regulations to ensure that the Department of Health commissions and funds abortion services without further delay, removing any remaining barriers. If the Department does not comply, the minister will intervene further with support from a small team established in the Northern Ireland Office.
Key facts
- Section 9 of the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Act 2019 places a legal duty on the minister to ensure abortion services.
- A direction was given to the Department of Health and the Health and Social Care Board on 22 July 2021 to make abortion services available by 31 March 2022.
- The Abortion (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2020 established a framework for abortion services in Northern Ireland.