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Anti-abortion Assembly members have launched a last-minute bid to thwart the decriminalization of terminations in the region.<\/p>\nAnti-abortion Assembly members have launched a last-minute bid to thwart the decriminalization of terminations in the region.<\/p>\n
The Assembly sat for the first time in two-and-a-half years later after it was recalled by MLAs wishing to protest at changes to Northern Ireland\u2019s abortion laws.<\/p>\n
In an unorthodox step, the plenary session was convened in the ongoing absence of a power-sharing executive.<\/p>\n
Abortion will be decriminalized in Northern Ireland at midnight on Monday.<\/p>\n
At the start of proceedings in Parliament Buildings, there was a bid by anti-abortion MLAs to fast-track a piece of private members\u2019 legislation through in a single day to thwart the abortion reform.<\/p>\n
DUP MLA Paul Givan urged the suspension of standing orders to enable the bill to be considered.<\/p>\n
However, outgoing speaker Robin Newton said a new speaker would need to be in place before the Assembly could turn to such a legislative bid.<\/p>\n
The election of a speaker requires cross-community backing in the chamber \u2013 such support appeared unlikely on Monday as nationalist members indicated they would not back the appointment of a new speaker.<\/p>\n
Mr Newton said a further sitting of the Assembly would be required to consider the bill and highlighted that the suspension of standing orders also required cross-community backing.<\/p>\n
He said it was \u201cnot good practice\u201d to take a piece of legislation through in one day.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Assembly cannot do any business until a speaker and deputy speakers are elected,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Mr Givan insisted that advice from Attorney General John Larkin indicated that standing orders could be suspended to allow the legislation to be considered.<\/p>\n
Mr Newton maintained his stance, highlighting that he had received his own legal advice on the issue.<\/p>\n
Anti-abortion and pro-choice campaigners gathered at the front of Stormont on Monday morning to voice their contrasting views on the emotive issue.<\/p>\n
If the legislation is not considered on Monday, the sitting is set to be largely symbolic, as the Assembly cannot perform its functions without a ministerial executive in place.<\/p>\n
While rival MLAs had branded proceedings a meaningless stunt, the members who signed the recall petition insisted it would provide a forum to voice opposition to the imminent decriminalization of abortion.<\/p>\n
While unionist members attended the sitting, Sinn F\u00e9in said it would not turn up to a sitting it has described as a circus.<\/p>\n
SDLP members did attend, but leader Colum Eastwood said his party would not support a speaker if an executive was not formed.<\/p>\n
The abortion law will change in Northern Ireland at midnight on Monday when the Executive Formation Act 2019 comes into effect.<\/p>\n
MPs at Westminster successfully amended the Government bill in the summer to include measures to end the near blanket prohibition on abortion and introduce same sex marriage.<\/p>\n
Once the 19th-century laws that criminalize abortion lapse at midnight, the Government will assume responsibility for introducing new regulations to provide greater access to terminations in the region by next April.<\/p>\n
In the interim period, women will be offered free transport to access abortion services in England.<\/p>\n
Under the Act, same-sex marriage will become legal in Northern Ireland in January, with the first wedding expected the following month.<\/p>\n
The law changes regarding abortion and marriage could only be stopped if the crisis-hit devolved executive is revived prior to the midnight deadline \u2013 a turn of events that is extremely unlikely.<\/p>\n
With the rift between erstwhile coalition partners the DUP and Sinn F\u00e9in over issues such as Irish language legislation as wide as ever, a deal to restore power-sharing still looks a long way off.<\/p>\n
Pro-choice activists held aloft cardboard letters spelling out \u201cdecriminalized\u201d in front of Parliament Buildings ahead of the sitting.<\/p>\n
Sarah Ewart, who has become a vocal advocate for reform since having to travel to England for an abortion after receiving a diagnosis of fatal fetal abnormality, welcomed the law change.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis law change will not fix what I had to go through but it will make it hopefully better for those who follow after me,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Grainne Teggart from Amnesty International said the law change would pave the way for a more \u201ccompassionate\u201d system.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom midnight tonight history will be made, these oppressive laws that have policed our bodies and our healthcare will be brought to an end,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cFinally our rights and our healthcare are being brought into the 21st century.\u201d<\/p>\n
Anti-abortion activists held up placards stating that the decriminalization was not in their name.<\/p>\n
They also prayed beneath the landmark statue of Sir Edward Carson.<\/p>\n
Activist Clive Johnston, from Strabane, warned of the consequences of decriminalization.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn today\u2019s world the most dangerous place to be is actually in the womb of a woman,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Government is culpable in actually taking part in what amounts to the killing of babies in the womb.\u201d<\/p>\n
The last time the Assembly sat was March 13 2017 in the wake of a snap election caused by the implosion of the devolved institutions two months earlier amid a row over a botched green energy scheme.<\/p>\n
The sitting was only for the 90 freshly-elected MLAs to sign the roll of membership and the Assembly has not reconvened since.<\/p>\n