����ý

Abortion continues to be a contentious issue in Northern Ireland.

It has been argued over in the courts on a number of occasions, and has also divided parties in the Stormont Assembly.

The 1967 Abortion Act, which made terminations legal in Great Britain up to 24 weeks in most circumstances, was not extended to Northern Ireland.

For decades in NI, abortions were allowed only if:

• A woman’s life was at risk
• There was a risk of permanent and serious damage to her mental or physical health

It meant that in many cases, women from NI seeking access to abortion services had to travel to England.

Access to abortion has been available in Northern Ireland since April 2020 after new laws came into force, but it is largely limited to early medical terminations up to 10 weeks of pregnancy.

Those seeking abortion services not yet provided by NI Health Trusts can access services in Great Britain through arrangements that are funded by the Department of Health.

The Republic of Ireland

In May 2018, voters in the Republic of Ireland chose to legalise abortion in a referendum.

Previously, there had been an almost complete ban on abortion as a pregnant woman and a foetus had equal legal status.

Women can now legally have an abortion up to 12 weeks of pregnancy.

It is possible to access an abortion if the pregnancy is over 12 weeks and there is a risk of serious harm or to the life of the pregnant woman, or if there has been a diagnosis of fatal foetal abnormality.

If she is over 12 weeks pregnant, a woman can also travel to England for an abortion in line with the Abortion Act of 1967.