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Northern Ireland Update
24 March 2022
Type
Written Ministerial Statement
Department
Northern Ireland Office
At a Glance
Issue Summary
The minister addresses the failure of the Northern Ireland Department of Health to provide abortion services as required by law and the CEDAW Report recommendations.
Action Requested
The minister plans to introduce new regulations following the May Assembly election that will place a duty on the Department of Health to make abortion services available, remove the need for Executive Committee approval, and confer powers to intervene if necessary. Additionally, a small team in the Northern Ireland Office is being established for oversight.
Key Facts
- The Abortion (Northern Ireland) 2020 Regulations were established two years ago.
- Women and girls are unable to access high-quality abortion and post-abortion care in Northern Ireland.
- A deadline of 31 March 2022 was set for services to be available.
- The First Minister's resignation has created an obstacle to progress.
- Regulations will remove the need for Executive Committee approval before services can be commissioned and funded.
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Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy