18/10/2019
Abortion Petition Recalls Stormont
MLAs are to return to the Stormont chamber next week for the first time in over 1000 days after a petition to recall the Assembly received the 30 required signatures.
The move comes almost three years since devolved government was suspended and just days before the UK Government is obliged to regulate for abortion access in Northern Ireland.
Pro-life campaign group Both Lives Matter revealed on Thursday that over 30 MLAs have signed the petition, with the NI Assembly Speaker later writing to all parties to request that the Assembly meets on Monday 21 October.
In July, the House of Commons passed legislation obliging the Government to legislate for a relaxation of abortion laws in Northern Ireland unless a Stormont Executive is formed by Monday.
It's understood the signatories were made up of DUP and UUP MLAs, with opposing parties branding the move as a political stunt.
Alliance MLA Trevor Lunn said the "showboating" attempt to restore the Assembly may potentially damage chances of a permanent return.
"Dragging MLAs back into the Assembly on Monday when many of us have spent almost three years trying to restore it, while the outstanding issues remain unresolved, is raising the expectations of the public, only to have them knowingly dashed," Mr Lunn said.
"It appears those wanting to go back on Monday are only doing so to try and deny LGBTQ people and women the rights guaranteed to them in the rest of the UK. I previously attempted to make some modest changes to abortion law here but that was blocked by other parties.
"There is no doubt there are serious issues remaining unresolved. But serious parties would have engaged intensively on resolving them ahead of Monday, instead of grandstanding. Such showboating contributed to the collapse of the institutions and will do nothing to aid their return. Indeed, they may make that more difficult.
"If people are serious about restoration and good governance, they will still be serious on Tuesday."
(JG/MH)
The move comes almost three years since devolved government was suspended and just days before the UK Government is obliged to regulate for abortion access in Northern Ireland.
Pro-life campaign group Both Lives Matter revealed on Thursday that over 30 MLAs have signed the petition, with the NI Assembly Speaker later writing to all parties to request that the Assembly meets on Monday 21 October.
In July, the House of Commons passed legislation obliging the Government to legislate for a relaxation of abortion laws in Northern Ireland unless a Stormont Executive is formed by Monday.
It's understood the signatories were made up of DUP and UUP MLAs, with opposing parties branding the move as a political stunt.
Alliance MLA Trevor Lunn said the "showboating" attempt to restore the Assembly may potentially damage chances of a permanent return.
"Dragging MLAs back into the Assembly on Monday when many of us have spent almost three years trying to restore it, while the outstanding issues remain unresolved, is raising the expectations of the public, only to have them knowingly dashed," Mr Lunn said.
"It appears those wanting to go back on Monday are only doing so to try and deny LGBTQ people and women the rights guaranteed to them in the rest of the UK. I previously attempted to make some modest changes to abortion law here but that was blocked by other parties.
"There is no doubt there are serious issues remaining unresolved. But serious parties would have engaged intensively on resolving them ahead of Monday, instead of grandstanding. Such showboating contributed to the collapse of the institutions and will do nothing to aid their return. Indeed, they may make that more difficult.
"If people are serious about restoration and good governance, they will still be serious on Tuesday."
(JG/MH)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
12 February 2024
Appeal For Information And Witnesses To L'Derry Collision
The PSNI have issued an appeal for information and witnesses following a report of a serious road traffic collision in the Strand Road area of L'Derry the early hours of Sunday, February 11. Around 1.40am, police received a report of a collision involving a pedestrian and a black Volkswagen Golf.
Appeal For Information And Witnesses To L'Derry Collision
The PSNI have issued an appeal for information and witnesses following a report of a serious road traffic collision in the Strand Road area of L'Derry the early hours of Sunday, February 11. Around 1.40am, police received a report of a collision involving a pedestrian and a black Volkswagen Golf.
23 January 2024
Two Arrested In Connection With Serious Assault In L'Derry
Two men have been arrested in connection with a serious assault in L'Derry last night, Monday 22 January. Shortly before midnight, police received a report that a man was found injured in the area of John Street roundabout. A short time later, police arrested two men, both aged 27 years old, on suspicion of grievous bodily harm.
Two Arrested In Connection With Serious Assault In L'Derry
Two men have been arrested in connection with a serious assault in L'Derry last night, Monday 22 January. Shortly before midnight, police received a report that a man was found injured in the area of John Street roundabout. A short time later, police arrested two men, both aged 27 years old, on suspicion of grievous bodily harm.
01 March 2024
Man Arrested In Connection With Serious Assault In East Belfast
A 42-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following a serious assault in east Belfast on Thursday 29th February. At approximately 11.20pm last night police were called to a property in the Montrose Street area following the report of an injured woman.
Man Arrested In Connection With Serious Assault In East Belfast
A 42-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following a serious assault in east Belfast on Thursday 29th February. At approximately 11.20pm last night police were called to a property in the Montrose Street area following the report of an injured woman.
27 February 2024
Appeal For Information On Serious Assault In Portadown
The PSNI have issued an appeal for information following a serious assault in Portadown that it being investigated as a 'disability hate crime'. On Saturday, 24 February, at around 5.20pm, police received a report that a young man had been attacked by six teenage boys in the High Street Mall area.
Appeal For Information On Serious Assault In Portadown
The PSNI have issued an appeal for information following a serious assault in Portadown that it being investigated as a 'disability hate crime'. On Saturday, 24 February, at around 5.20pm, police received a report that a young man had been attacked by six teenage boys in the High Street Mall area.
13 March 2024
Assembly Agrees Support For Miscarriage Leave In NI
The Assembly has agreed to support the extension of miscarriage leave for workers in NI. DUP Economy Spokesperson, Phillip Brett, brought an amendment to a Sinn Féin motion, which was agreed by the Assembly on Tuesday, 12 March.
Assembly Agrees Support For Miscarriage Leave In NI
The Assembly has agreed to support the extension of miscarriage leave for workers in NI. DUP Economy Spokesperson, Phillip Brett, brought an amendment to a Sinn Féin motion, which was agreed by the Assembly on Tuesday, 12 March.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Mostly dry Tuesday but a chance of showers at times. Cloudier at first, but a chance of sunny spells breaking out through the day. Winds turning lighter. More cloud building before sunset. Maximum temperature 13 °C.Tonight:Cloud and outbreaks of rain spread north through the evening and overnight, perhaps some drier and clearer spells developing in western counties around dawn. Minimum temperature 6 °C.