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Sinn F\u00e9in will next week formally ask Stormont ministers to commission abortion services in Northern Ireland.<\/p>\nSinn F\u00e9in will next week formally ask Stormont ministers to commission abortion services in Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n
Party president Mary Lou McDonald accused the DUP and Ulster Unionists of blocking the change \u2013 two years after legislation was passed at Westminster.<\/p>\n
The issue sharply divides political and community opinion and is set to be raised at an Executive meeting.<\/p>\n
Women in the north are legally entitled to modern and compassionate healthcare<\/p>\n
Ms McDonald said: \u201cLegislation was passed in March 2019, following a widespread public campaign where we heard the real experiences and real lives of women and their families.<\/p>\n
\u201cWomen in the north are legally entitled to modern and compassionate healthcare and it is totally unacceptable that two years on the Health Minister has not commissioned services.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe refusal to act has been particularly difficult for women during the pandemic and has put women\u2019s health at risk.\u201d<\/p>\n
Individual health trusts have set up temporary early medical abortion pathways but Northern Ireland-wide services have not yet been commissioned by the Department of Health.<\/p>\n
Health Minister Robin Swann has argued that, as a controversial issue, it is for the Executive to agree to set up the services.<\/p>\n
The DUP is opposed to abortion and has proposed a new law to prevent them being carried out in cases of non-fatal disabilities.<\/p>\n
Ms McDonald added: \u201cSinn F\u00e9in (Communities) Minister Deirdre Hargey is bringing forward a proposal to the Executive next week to ensure services are delivered to allow women access to proper healthcare in the north.\u201d<\/p>\n
Northern Ireland\u2019s previously restrictive laws were changed by MPs at Westminster in 2019 at a time when the Stormont administration was collapsed.<\/p>\n
The laws allow abortion in all circumstances up to 12 weeks. Terminations are permitted up to 24 weeks when there is a risk to the woman\u2019s physical or mental health.<\/p>\n
There is no time limit in cases of fatal fetal abnormality or when there has been a diagnosis of a serious physical or mental impairment that would cause a serious disability.<\/p>\n
Abortions post 24 weeks in those circumstances are extremely rare.<\/p>\n