Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, with reference to the Government consultation entitled, A new legal framework for abortion services in Northern Ireland, published 4 November 2019, what estimate he has made of the the number of submissions from (a) disability organisations based in Northern Ireland and (b) individuals residing in Northern Ireland who identified as disabled.
The public consultation, A new legal framework for abortion services in Northern Ireland, provided an opportunity for people and organisations in Northern Ireland to contribute their views on how the Government could best deliver on its statutory duty under section 9 of the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc.) Act 2019 in implementing the CEDAW Report recommendations.
The Government engaged with a wide range of stakeholders who reached out seeking further discussions during the consultation process. However, the consultation process did not collect personal data that would identify a respondent as a person with a disability. We carefully analysed all of the views expressed in the submissions received.
It is the Government’s firm view that the Regulations properly comply with the statutory duty under section 9 of the NIEF Act, and are also compliant with the UK’s obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.