DUP Health Spokesman Iris Robinson has reiterated the DUP’s opposition to the introduction of the 1967 Abortion Act to Northern Ireland. Mrs. Robinson was speaking prior to a vote on an amendment to the controversial Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill which would see the provisions of the 1967 Act extended to Northern Ireland. Speaking today Mrs. Robinson said:

“The first and most important thing to consider in this discussion is the fact that representatives of the four main political parties, from party leaders down, have indicated very clearly their opposition to the imposition of the provisions of the 1967 Abortion Act to Northern Ireland. In the last test of public opinion those four main parties polled in excess of 85% of the votes cast. Furthermore Alliance Party members have also, on an individual basis indicated their opposition to the extension of the 1967 Abortion Act here. It is clear that such a proposal simply is not wanted by people in Northern Ireland.

It would be wrong for any back-bench MPs, most of who belong to a party that doesn’t even contest elections in Northern Ireland to seek to impose an abortion regime that the vast majority of people do not want. This is also not a debate, as has been falsely claimed, about extending laws which apply in one part of the United Kingdom to another. There are various bodies of law that apply in Scotland that do not apply in England, Wales or Northern Ireland – it is perfectly compatible within a United Kingdom framework for different laws to apply in Northern Ireland than apply elsewhere in the United Kingdom.

The DUP is opposed to the extension of the 1967 Abortion Act to Northern Ireland. Prior to the vote on this unwelcome amendment to the unwelcome Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill the DUP will be lobbying vigorously to ensure that the wishes of the people of Northern Ireland are respected by the House of Commons.”

Source : DUP



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