UK Inquiry Tracker

Abortion law in Northern Ireland inquiry

Women and Equalities Committee Closed Inquiry

Opened: 12 Sep 2018 Closed: 12 Sep 2018 Parliament page

Our report says that the absence of an Executive in Northern Ireland since 2017 means that there is: no devolved government to respond to significant developments no scrutiny bodies to make sure policies are working well no scrutiny of the use of UK Government funds for women and girls seeking … Read more Our report says that the absence of an Executive in Northern Ireland since 2017 means that there is: no devolved government to respond to significant developments no scrutiny bodies to make sure policies are working well no scrutiny of the use of UK Government funds for women and girls seeking abortion in England and a failure to respond to international human rights obligations The Committee took evidence on the following questions: What are the views of the general public, women and medical and legal professionals in Northern Ireland about the law on abortion and whether it should be reformed? How have those views changed over time? What are the experiences of women in Northern Ireland who have been affected by the law on abortion? What are the responsibilities of the UK Government under its international obligations for taking action to reform abortion law in Northern Ireland? How should these be reconciled to the UK’s devolution settlement? Abortion Law in Northern Ireland evidence Evidence given to a select committee is protected by parliamentary privilege. This means that it cannot be “impeached or questioned” in any court proceedings, nor can cases be brought on the basis of evidence published by the Committee as part of its inquiry. Discussion or repetition of evidence given to a committee outside Parliament is not protected. Where witnesses have given evidence anonymously or confidentially, the Committee will not share the names of those concerned with any body outside Parliament, including law enforcement authorities. Anonymity For the Abortion Law in Northern Ireland inquiry, the Women and Equalities Committee will grant anonymity to evidence containing personal information on request. Such evidence will be published, but only after we have removed potentially identifying information to reduce the likelihood of individuals being identified. We will always aim to ensure that redactions will prevent identification but anyone with particular concerns is encouraged to contact the Committee staff for advice. Confidentiality Where evidence cannot be anonymised (for example where the redactions which would be required to protect anonymity would remove much of the content), or where there are other safeguarding issues or concerns about level of anonymity provided by redactions, the Committee can treat evidence as confidential. Confidential evidence will only be seen by members of the committee and the committee staff. This evidence will not be shared with third parties and will not be liable to be disclosed as part of any legal proceedings. Evidence from identifiable individuals If people choose to submit evidence under their own name or anonymously but with a level of redaction that leaves a residual risk that they will be identified the Committee cannot guarantee that they will be protected; their evidence to the committee will be protected by parliamentary privilege but if published Committee evidence suggests criminal behaviour has occurred, there is no bar on external bodies investigating that behaviour, which may lead them to find independent evidence which could be put before a court. Show less

1 Report

4 Oral sessions

5 Letters

4 Events

Activity timeline 15 events

2 Aug
2019

Report published

10th Special Report - Abortion law in Northern Ireland: Government response to the Committee’s Eighth Report of Session 2017–19

25 Apr
2019

Report published

8th Report - Abortion law in Northern Ireland

25 Apr
2019

Correspondence

Response from the Director of Public Prosecutions to Amnesty International, regarding free abortion care for Northern Irish women in Englan…

25 Apr
2019

Correspondence

Letter from the Minister for Women and Equalities, regarding he scheme that provides funding for abortion services in England for women tra…

25 Apr
2019

Correspondence

Letter from Amnesty International to the Director of Public Prosecutions, regarding free abortion care for Northern Irish women in England …

3 Apr
2019

Correspondence

Letter from Jackie Doyle-Price MP, regarding Abortion in Northern Ireland, dated 28 March 2019

27 Mar
2019

Correspondence

Letter from Rt Hon Karen Bradley MP, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, regarding the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission's lega…

27 Feb
2019

Oral evidence

Oral evidence session

27 Feb
2019

Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House

Committee event

12 Feb
2019

Oral evidence

Oral evidence session

12 Feb
2019

Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 8, Palace of Westminster

Committee event

25 Jan
2019

Oral evidence

Oral evidence session

Oral evidence sessions 4 sessions

27 Feb 2019

View on parliament.uk

12 Feb 2019

View on parliament.uk

25 Jan 2019

View on parliament.uk

24 Jan 2019

View on parliament.uk

Reports 1 report · click to expand

Title	HC No.	Published	Items	Response
8th Report - Abortion law in Northern Ireland	HC 1584	25 Apr 2019	0	Responded

Correspondence 5 letters

25 Apr 2019 To committee Response from the Director of Public Prosecutions to Amnesty International, regarding free abortion care for Northern Irish women in England and Wales, dated 25 August 2017

Parliament page

25 Apr 2019 To committee Letter from the Minister for Women and Equalities, regarding he scheme that provides funding for abortion services in England for women travelling from Northern Ireland, dated 14 March 2019

Parliament page

25 Apr 2019 To committee Letter from Amnesty International to the Director of Public Prosecutions, regarding free abortion care for Northern Irish women in England and Wales, dated 23 August 2017

Parliament page

3 Apr 2019 To committee Letter from Jackie Doyle-Price MP, regarding Abortion in Northern Ireland, dated 28 March 2019

Parliament page

27 Mar 2019 To committee Letter from Rt Hon Karen Bradley MP, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, regarding the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission's legal cases, dated 13 November 2018

Parliament page