Irish Wedding News
05/12/2013
The consultation is focused around the issue of whether pregnant women whose babies have fatal foetal abnormalities are entitled to an abortion. Fatal foetal abnormality is currently not a ground for abortion under NI law. Other grounds for termination, such as in incest or rape cases, are also to be covered under the consultation.
Speaking to BBC Radio Ulster's Nolan Show, the Justice Minister said he would review the current legislation after hearing about the cases of two women earlier this year.
Both women discovered their babies had anencephaly, a severe brain abnormality, and as a result, their child would not survive outside the womb. In one case, Sarah Ewart contacted the Nolan Show in October and revealed she had to travel to England for a termination after discovering her baby would not survive outside the womb. The other woman, known as Laura, was pregnant with twins but she also contacted the show to say she was also facing a similar situation.
Mr Ford said: "What we have to do is carry out a consultation on the potential for change.
"Long before I became minister for justice, long before I met Sarah Ewart, I have said that there are clearly some very difficult cases in Northern Ireland which are not covered by the law as it applies in Northern Ireland.
"Now this is not talking about a wholesale introduction of the 1967 Abortion Act as applies across the water, it is simply saying that in a very narrow range of cases, I do believe we do need to consider whether it should be lawful to have an abortion in those circumstances where there is no chance of the foetus being delivered and having a viable life.
"I believe that there is certainly an understanding amongst many people that we do need to consider the issue and consider it seriously. We'll have to see as a result of the consultation what then is possible in terms of legislation for Northern Ireland, if that is the wish."
(JP/CD)
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Consultation For NI's Abortion Laws
Northern Ireland's Justice Minister, David Ford, has said he will consult on changing the regions' abortion laws.The consultation is focused around the issue of whether pregnant women whose babies have fatal foetal abnormalities are entitled to an abortion. Fatal foetal abnormality is currently not a ground for abortion under NI law. Other grounds for termination, such as in incest or rape cases, are also to be covered under the consultation.
Speaking to BBC Radio Ulster's Nolan Show, the Justice Minister said he would review the current legislation after hearing about the cases of two women earlier this year.
Both women discovered their babies had anencephaly, a severe brain abnormality, and as a result, their child would not survive outside the womb. In one case, Sarah Ewart contacted the Nolan Show in October and revealed she had to travel to England for a termination after discovering her baby would not survive outside the womb. The other woman, known as Laura, was pregnant with twins but she also contacted the show to say she was also facing a similar situation.
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Mr Ford said: "What we have to do is carry out a consultation on the potential for change.
"Long before I became minister for justice, long before I met Sarah Ewart, I have said that there are clearly some very difficult cases in Northern Ireland which are not covered by the law as it applies in Northern Ireland.
"Now this is not talking about a wholesale introduction of the 1967 Abortion Act as applies across the water, it is simply saying that in a very narrow range of cases, I do believe we do need to consider whether it should be lawful to have an abortion in those circumstances where there is no chance of the foetus being delivered and having a viable life.
"I believe that there is certainly an understanding amongst many people that we do need to consider the issue and consider it seriously. We'll have to see as a result of the consultation what then is possible in terms of legislation for Northern Ireland, if that is the wish."
(JP/CD)
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