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Arlene Foster has said the abortion referendum will have no impact upon law in Northern Ireland.<\/p>\nArlene Foster has said the abortion referendum will have no impact upon law in Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n
The DUP leader said legislation governing terminations was a devolved matter and it was for the Northern Ireland Assembly to debate and decide such issues.<\/p>\n
British prime minister Theresa May is facing pressure to liberalize the strict laws in Northern Ireland, where abortion is illegal in all but the most exceptional of circumstances.<\/p>\n
The devolved Stormont Assembly has not sat for months following a row between former coalition partners the Democratic Unionists and Sinn F\u00e9in over a botched green energy scheme.<\/p>\n
It is an extremely sensitive issue and not one that should have people taking to the streets in celebration.<\/p>\n
Mrs Foster said: \u201cFriday\u2019s referendum has no impact upon the law in Northern Ireland, but we obviously take note of issues impacting upon our nearest neighbor.\u201d<\/p>\n
Following calls for a similar referendum north of the border, she said no constitutional bar existed on abortion in Northern Ireland like that which had covered the procedure in the Republic.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe legislation governing abortion is a devolved matter and it is for the Northern Ireland Assembly to debate and decide such issues.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome of those who wish to circumvent the Assembly\u2019s role may be doing so simply to avoid its decision.\u201d<\/p>\n
The DUP is an anti-abortion party and supports Theresa May\u2019s minority Conservative Government on key votes at Westminster.<\/p>\n
Mrs Foster added: \u201cIt is an extremely sensitive issue and not one that should have people taking to the streets in celebration.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to see the Northern Ireland Assembly restored and put no preconditions on the immediate establishment of an Executive.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome of those demanding change (Sinn F\u00e9in) are the same people blocking devolution or demanding that Westminster change the law whilst simultaneously opposing Direct Rule.\u201d<\/p>\n