NI Assembly backs change in abortion law to prevent killing some babies with disabilities
A Bill which seeks to amend the law in Northern Ireland to prevent abortions in cases of disabilities such as Down's Syndrome, has been backed by a majority of Assembly Members (MLAs).
Director of Precious Life Bernadette Smyth said “We hope this Bill highlights the humanity of all unborn babies and leads to a complete repeal of Westminster’s evil abortion law. Our REPEAL SECTION 9 Campaign continues calling on the Assembly to restore personhood and legal protection for every unborn child in Northern Ireland. Each child is a member of the human family, by virtue of his or her humanity, and must be protected in law, policy and practice."
The Severe Fetal Impairment Bill, brought by DUP MLA Paul Givan, passed its second stage by 48 votes to 12.
It will now go forward for scrutiny at Stormont's health committee.
DUP MLA Paul Givan had said he wanted to amend legislation to show that people with disabilities are "equally valued".
He told MLAs that his bill "tackles disability discrimination and how the law perpetuates stereotypes".
Both the first and deputy first ministers made interventions from the back benches, which is highly unusual.
'Realm of eugenics'
The DUP leader, Arlene Foster, said she had not intended to speak but had been "distressed" at some of the contributions made during the debate.
She singled out the Green Party leader Clare Bailey who, she said, had sought to equate the issue with that of violence against women.
She also said she feared the issue of abortion was entering into the "area of eugenics".
The TUV leader, Jim Allister, said the assembly was being asked to choose between life and death and said he hoped those behind the bill saw it not as an end but a beginning.
The Bill was supported by Sinead Bradley of the SDLP. She told MLAs that when it came to this issue, she chose to see ability, "not your disability".
Rosemary Barton, from the UUP, also backed the move and offered her "wholehearted support".
Mr Givan's bill was backed by some disability rights campaigners, including Heidi Crowter who has Down's syndrome.
Pro-abortion MLAs
Pro-abortion MLA Paula Bradshaw of the Alliance Party said the bill was "utterly inadequate" and was a "lazy attempt" to change the law.
Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill and Deirdre Hargey called for more babies to be killed by abortion through the legislation forced on Northern Ireland from Westminster.
The pro-abortion MLAs who want disabled unborn babies killed were as follows (either voting against the Bill or abstaining) -
|
Ms Clare Bailey |
Green Party |
AGAINST |
|
Mr Doug Beattie MC |
Ulster Unionist |
AGAINST |
|
Mr John Blair |
Alliance Party |
AGAINST |
|
Ms Paula Bradshaw |
Alliance Party |
AGAINST |
|
Mr Gerry Carroll |
People Before Profit |
AGAINST |
|
Mr Pat Catney |
SDLP |
AGAINST |
|
Mr Stewart Dickson |
Alliance Party |
AGAINST |
|
Mrs Naomi Long |
Alliance Party |
AGAINST |
|
Ms Sinead McLaughlin |
SDLP |
AGAINST |
|
Mr Andrew Muir |
Alliance Party |
AGAINST |
|
Mr Matthew O'Toole |
SDLP |
AGAINST |
|
Miss Rachel Woods |
Green Party |
AGAINST |
|
Ms Kellie Armstrong |
Alliance Party |
ABSTAINED |
|
Mr Cathal Boylan |
Sinn Féin |
ABSTAINED |
|
Ms Nicola Brogan |
Sinn Féin |
ABSTAINED |
|
Ms Linda Dillon |
Sinn Féin |
ABSTAINED |
|
Ms Jemma Dolan |
Sinn Féin |
ABSTAINED |
|
Ms Sinéad Ennis |
Sinn Féin |
ABSTAINED |
|
Ms Órlaithí Flynn |
Sinn Féin |
ABSTAINED |
|
Mr Colm Gildernew |
Sinn Féin |
ABSTAINED |
|
Ms Deirdre Hargey |
Sinn Féin |
ABSTAINED |
|
Mr Declan Kearney |
Sinn Féin |
ABSTAINED |
|
Mr Gerry Kelly |
Sinn Féin |
ABSTAINED |
|
Ms Liz Kimmins |
Sinn Féin |
ABSTAINED |
|
Mr Seán Lynch |
Sinn Féin |
ABSTAINED |
|
Mr Declan McAleer |
Sinn Féin |
ABSTAINED |
|
Mr Fra McCann |
Sinn Féin |
ABSTAINED |
|
Mr Philip McGuigan |
Sinn Féin |
ABSTAINED |
|
Mr Maolíosa McHugh |
Sinn Féin |
ABSTAINED |
|
Ms Karen Mullan |
Sinn Féin |
ABSTAINED |
|
Mr Conor Murphy |
Sinn Féin |
ABSTAINED |
|
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín |
Sinn Féin |
ABSTAINED |
|
Mr John O'Dowd |
Sinn Féin |
ABSTAINED |
|
Mrs Michelle O'Neill |
Sinn Féin |
ABSTAINED |
|
Ms Emma Rogan |
Sinn Féin |
ABSTAINED |
|
Mr Pat Sheehan |
Sinn Féin |
ABSTAINED |
|
Ms Emma Sheerin |
Sinn Féin |
ABSTAINED |