Northern Ireland - Abortion

the Scottish government had already offered FREE abortions to NI women ,when people hear about the abortion laws in NI they automatically think its because of the catholic church.....I've had a few friends who were shocked when the truth came out that the DUP are every bit as backward and want to Ireland in the dark ages .

The change yesterday is hopefully the beginning - there is still the huge issue of travel and accommodation costs so that the poorest women cannot take advantage. Also women pregnant in abusive relationships who wouodn't be able to 'disappear' for a few days or those with children that need looking after. Also the abortion pills that are easiest of all cannot be legally sent to NI and at least one woman there is awaiting trial for buying them for her young daughter. It's an absolute disgrace - and yesterday the court in NI ruled it wasn't against women's human rights but a matter for Stormont to determine. One of the cases yesterday involved a woman whose much wanted baby was diagnosed with fatal fetal syndrome and she had to come over here to have what must have been a very sad experience - they reduced the bill by a bit though because of her ''circumstances'. It makes me absolutely rage and ( apart from the danger to the GFA) is the main reason why I despise and hate the DUP with a passion and TM's government for the agreement with them.

So those who cannot support aborting babies are to be despised ?

Those like the DUP who will not allow women the choice are to be despised absolutely and completely. NI has just about the most restrictive abortion laws in Europe. NI is part of the UK - why should girls and women there be treated differently? it is so wrong as to almost defy belief. I have friends who themselves would not choose an abortion but believe absolutely in the right of every woman to chose for herself. Can you really not see the difference between despising politicians who force women to give birth and allowing women the right to choose?

I respect people's rights to their beliefs even if I don't share them

Why did they have to pay for an abortion on the NHS? Northern Ireland women are part of the NHS surely. I had no idea that they were charged. Hopefully not the case for any other NHS treatment they have.

I was also unaware that women from N I were not covered under the NHS for this procedure, which is, whatever your view on abortion an anomaly to say the least! N.I is part of the UK and everyone in the UK should, without question be treated financially exactly the same. You really cannot have a two tier system. Abortion is a very emotive subject with sincerely held views. My own opinion is that abortion should not be allowed after 12 weeks of pregnancy unless there is a pressing medical reason. I read the other day that abortion up till the actual birth date is under discussion with the BMA. The idea of that so appalled me that I was certain that I must have misread the article but on later scrutiny it would appear that I hadn't!!! Heavens above, Surely not!!!

DD1 lived in Northern Ireland for ten years and even she didn't know about the charge.

Very confusing.

I think the issues here are not about anyone's individual beliefs and their rights to hold their beliefs but about fairness and equality and the right not to have the beliefs of others literally forced on you through the political system. As MPs have said, a NI woman taken ill on the mainland is treated by the NHS like any other UK citizen but could not have an NHS abortion until now. This change was long overdue and has some way to go to be really fair. Well done to all those MPs of all parties ( except the DUP) who supported Stella Creasy and have demonstrated that one of the pluses of a hung parliament is more power to back benchers to do real good.

nn there is no time limit at all on abortions if there is a substantial risk to theceoman's life or foetal abnormality.

The woman's

I understand that there is a time limit of 24 weeks for abortion (too long imo) unless there are severe medical conditions.

So all who voted for the DUP were forced to do do? Would Sin Fein support abortion?

You know very well that SF are anti abortion. I don't understand your first sentence

I think every political party in Ireland North and South are anti abortion which of course is their choice. Perhaps people are broadly in agreement else surely there would be demonstrations and petitions to overthrow this legislation particularly from the young?

There is a great deal of campaigning going in in both Ireland and NI - it just doesn't make the news here. The court case this week was one example of their efforts - they were trying the human rights route but lost. There are also groups which try and help women arrange abortions on the mainland. There are many ways of campaigning other than demonstrations and petitions and which can be more effective in the long run

Good luck to them. Let's hope they get somewhere positive in the foreseeable future.

Yes - I think the people involved are very brave - the churches have a very long reach.

I'm another who didn't know women from NI had to pay for terminations carried out in England. I welcome this change to their circumstances.

I don't think anyone 'supports' abortion, instead I think many people support the right for a woman to choose for herself.

Likewise, one can have the right to hold the belief that abortion is wrong but I believe that can only be applied to oneself and the belief should not be imposed on others and infringe their rights.

I respect people's views on abortion regardless of whether their for or against. However I object to them forcing their views on others. No woman should be forced to have an abortion but equally no woman should be forced to have a baby if she doesn't want to.

anniebach I believe that those who vote for DUP do so for very strong traditional reasons (to keep Sinn Fein out) and that the matter of abortion gets lost in their reasoning because it's always been no abortion and was accepted as such.

I used to work for an Irish catholic Dr who was very funny about prescribing the morning after pill; it really shocked me.

Coolgran's post is right. Tradition is everything.

Spot on Coolgran