All Members - Abortion Services ( Safe Access Zones) Bill Supreme Court Decision

The Supreme Court has this morning given its decision on a question referred to it by the Attorney General for Northern Ireland as to whether a provision of the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Bill is within the legislative competence of the Assembly.

The process under which a Bill passed by the Assembly is considered by the Law Officers and may be referred to the Supreme Court is an important one. The Supreme Court has decided that the relevant provision is within the legislative competence of the Assembly. Members can find the judgment here: https://www.supremecourt.uk/cases/uksc-2022-0077.html

The Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Bill was a Private Member’s Bill (PMB). The increased demand to bring forward such Bills, and the increased support provided by the Assembly Commission to meet that demand, has demonstrated the growing interest amongst Members, and the wider community, to maximise the potential of the Assembly as a legislature.

It is also true that the Assembly has never had a period of sustained stability to develop a parliamentary culture in the same way as other institutions. The review conducted by the Committee on Procedures at the end of the last mandate was an important step in further refining the PMB system. However, it is clear that the principle of Members being supported to bring forward changes in the law is an important element to the Assembly’s further development as a legislature.

I welcome the Supreme Court’s decision. I am pleased that the will of the Assembly to afford protection to the rights and respect of women using these services has been upheld. If Members have any queries on this matter, please contact my office.

Yours sincerely

ALEX MASKEY

SPEAKER