Diana Johnson’s important Bill being debated today in Westminster is timely and is badly needed in Northern Ireland
Labour Senator Ivana Bacik has called on the British government to endorse Diana Johnson’s Bill providing access to abortion in Northern Ireland.
Commenting today, Senator Bacik said:
“Labour MP Diana Johnson’s important Bill being debated today in Westminster is timely and is badly needed in Northern Ireland. The need for legislation to extend access to abortion in Northern Ireland has become more urgent following our historic vote here in May to legalise access to abortion in Ireland.
“For decades since the passage of the 1967 Abortion Act, thousands have had to travel from Ireland to England to access abortion care. Once we pass legislation here to give effect to our historic vote this May to repeal the Eighth Amendment, it will mean that anyone needing abortion can travel to this jurisdiction from Northern Ireland to access abortion here.
“I commend Diana Johnson for bringing forward this Bill from Labour, and I hope that Prime Minister Theresa May and her Government will respond appropriately by bringing about equal access to reproductive health care for all those who need it, in Northern Ireland as well in England, Wales and Scotland.”