Closest matches to “Abortion decision will leave many questioning value of devolution”
From other parties, ranked by how close their text is in meaning. Close in meaning is not the same as agreeing. Include TUV · Back to the release
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Overriding local decision-making undermines devolution
DUP MP Carla Lockhart and MLA Paul Givan say they opposed Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris over the Northern Ireland Office's decision to commission abortion services, arguing it is a devolved matter for Stormont. They say the move undermines devolution and should be reversed.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Commissioning of abortion services in Northern Ireland announced by Secretary of State Original release: Overriding local decision-making undermines devolution (opens in a new tab)
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Secretary of State fanning flames of devolution crisis with abortion…
DUP MP Carla Lockhart says the Secretary of State's move to press ahead with commissioning abortion services, confirmed in a letter to party leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, is deepening the devolution crisis. She argues abortion is a devolved matter and that funds should instead go to energy support…
Constitutional affairs Public finance and taxation Issue: Secretary of State instruction to Department of Health on abortion services commissioning Original release: Secretary of State fanning flames of devolution crisis with abortion… (opens in a new tab)
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Court of Appeal ruling reinforces concern over devolved settlement –…
DUP MP Carla Lockhart, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Pro-Life Group, says a Court of Appeal decision dismissing the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children's challenge raises concern that the devolution settlement can be overridden by the Secretary of State on abortion law.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Court of Appeal dismissal of SPUC challenge on Northern Ireland abortion law Original release: Court of Appeal ruling reinforces concern over devolved settlement –… (opens in a new tab)
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“A sad day for NI and a sad reflection on NIO’s priorities” – Lockhart
DUP MP Carla Lockhart, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Pro-Life Group, says the Secretary of State's decision to accelerate abortion legislation through Westminster is a bad decision that disrespects the devolution settlement. She contrasts this with slower progress on Irish Sea Border…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Secretary of State plans to accelerate abortion services commissioning Original release: “A sad day for NI and a sad reflection on NIO’s priorities” – Lockhart (opens in a new tab)
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Announcement concerning the commissioning of abortion services welcome, says Bradshaw and Egan
Alliance MLAs Paula Bradshaw and Connie Egan welcome the Secretary of State's confirmation that the UK Government will commission abortion services in Northern Ireland, but Bradshaw says no funding plan has yet been provided and calls for a clear roadmap.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Commissioning of abortion services in Northern Ireland announced by Secretary of State Original release: Announcement concerning the commissioning of abortion services welcome, says Bradshaw and Egan (opens in a new tab)
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MP points to the absurdity of the abortion debate.
DUP North Antrim MP Ian Paisley says the US Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v Wade contrasts with Northern Ireland's abortion law changes, which he says were imposed by the Secretary of State and the NIO. He says Northern Ireland should have had its opinions respected and calls for alternative…
Health International affairs Issue: US Supreme Court overturns Roe v Wade Original release: MP points to the absurdity of the abortion debate. (opens in a new tab)
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Replace the Protocol and restore devolution
DUP South Belfast MLA Edwin Poots says the Secretary of State may take whatever action he chooses, but insists devolution cannot be restored until the Protocol is replaced with arrangements unionists can support. He adds that the DUP is ready to take its case to the electorate in an election.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Secretary of State legislation extending Executive formation period and cutting MLA pay Original release: Replace the Protocol and restore devolution (opens in a new tab)
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NIO priorities misplaced
The DUP says Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris has prioritised RSE curriculum regulations on abortion services over cuts to youth services and an inadequate education budget. Carla Lockhart MP says he should respect the devolution settlement.
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: NIO decision to add abortion access to RSE teaching Original release: NIO priorities misplaced (opens in a new tab)
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Sir Jeffrey – “We need to clear away the debris of the Protocol years”
DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP says the Protocol must be replaced by arrangements unionists can support, ahead of his meeting with Taoiseach Micheál Martin. He calls on Brussels to loosen its negotiating mandate so renegotiation can proceed.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Original release: Sir Jeffrey – “We need to clear away the debris of the Protocol years” (opens in a new tab)
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Termination of Ballymena GPs contracts a sad state of affairs and indicates need for institutional reform, says O’Lynn
Alliance North Antrim MLA Patricia O'Lynn says she is saddened by the termination of two Ballymena GP practice contracts, which could close services for over 7,000 patients, and blames the DUP's boycott of the institutions for stalling health decision-making and calling for institutional reform.
Health Constitutional affairs Issue: Ballymena GP practices terminating contracts and potential closure Original release: Termination of Ballymena GPs contracts a sad state of affairs and indicates need for institutional reform, says O’Lynn (opens in a new tab)
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Each abortion represents a life lost – Lockhart
DUP MP for Upper Bann Carla Lockhart, Chair of the All-Party Pro-Life Group, expresses deep concern at Northern Ireland abortion statistics showing 2,792 abortions in 2023/24, a 28.8% rise, and calls for work to repeal Westminster's abortion laws.
Health Issue: Department of Health abortion statistics for 2023/24 published Original release: Each abortion represents a life lost – Lockhart (opens in a new tab)
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Urgent need for commissioning of abortion services, say Bradshaw and Egan
Alliance MLAs Paula Bradshaw and Connie Egan call for urgent commissioning of abortion services on the third anniversary of decriminalisation in Northern Ireland, saying women face a postcode lottery in access. Egan urges the Secretary of State to step in and commission full services under UN…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Third anniversary of abortion decriminalisation in Northern Ireland Original release: Urgent need for commissioning of abortion services, say Bradshaw and Egan (opens in a new tab)
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‘Start-stop’ provision of Abortion Services should not be allowed to occur again, says Bradshaw
Alliance health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA welcomes the Western Trust's plan to restart early abortion services in July after their April 2021 suspension, but says the service should never have been suspended. She blames the Health Minister's inaction on commissioning and calls for a fully…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Western Trust early abortion services resumption announcement Original release: ‘Start-stop’ provision of Abortion Services should not be allowed to occur again, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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Women have waited too long for modern and compassionate health services – Ní Chuilín
Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín calls on the Department of Health to start commissioning abortion services for women in the north now, after the British Secretary of State instructed it to do so. She says women have waited long enough and have had to travel to England, often alone.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Secretary of State instruction to Department of Health on abortion services commissioning Original release: Women have waited too long for modern and compassionate health services – Ní Chuilín (opens in a new tab)
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Tories’ Abortion Push deletes the Human Right to Life and Undermines the GFA
Aontú Leader and Meath West TD Peadar Tóibín criticises Northern Secretary Brandon Lewis's new powers to direct the Northern Ireland Health Department to expand abortion services, saying they bypass Stormont and the Good Friday Agreement. He says Aontú is seeking legal advice on protecting…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Secretary of State plans to accelerate abortion services commissioning Original release: Tories’ Abortion Push deletes the Human Right to Life and Undermines the GFA (opens in a new tab)
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Focus Must Be on Delivery Not Constitutional Change
UUP South Antrim MP Robin Swann says the focus must be on delivery rather than constitutional change, responding to Secretary of State Hilary Benn's remarks on a border poll. He argues that health, the economy and outcomes should take priority and calls on the British Government to better promote…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Hilary Benn remarks on a border poll Original release: Focus Must Be on Delivery Not Constitutional Change (opens in a new tab)
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Further confirmation of ringfenced funding for reproductive health services a welcome step, say Bradshaw and Egan
Alliance MLAs Paula Bradshaw and Connie Egan welcome the Secretary of State's ringfenced funding and formal instruction to the Department of Health to commission reproductive health services, calling it a further step, while urging swift full provision locally.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Secretary of State instruction to Department of Health on abortion services commissioning Original release: Further confirmation of ringfenced funding for reproductive health services a welcome step, say Bradshaw and Egan (opens in a new tab)