Unrestricted abortion would be available in Northern Ireland up to 12 or 14 weeks under UK Government proposals. MPs at Westminster forced the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) to act after legislation passed earlier this year reformed the most restrictive laws surrounding child birth in the UK. An official consultation said: “Twelve weeks gestation has been considered because it is the end of the first trimester of pregnancy and in England and Wales 90% of abortions are performed within this timeframe. Abortion is a deeply divisive issue in Northern Ireland (Niall Carson/PA)The DUP failed in a last-ditch bid at Stormont to thwart legalisation last month. A provision allowing medics to opt out on conscientious objection grounds would cover the course of treatment.

Source: Irish Examiner November 04, 2019 17:48 UTC