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A border poll is
likely to happen sooner Law Change Decriminalizing IRISH
than anticipated, due to
Brexit upheaval, Sinn
Féin vice president Same-Sex Marriage And EXAMINER
Michelle O’Neill has
suggested. |
Ms O’Neill said polls Abortion In The North Comes
show the necessity for October
debate and planning to
begin on preparations Into Effect
for a border poll, and 23rd,
then beyond that to a bortion has been
united Ireland. decriminalized in 2019
Sinn Féin have said Athe North after a
they want a border poll landmark law change
within five years, but Ms came into force at mid-
O’Neill said Brexit could night on Tuesday.
see it happening sooner. The legal reforms voted in
Speaking in Dublin, at Westminster have also
she said the collapse of paved the way for the intro-
the Berlin wall and sub- duction of same-sex marriage
sequent reunification of in the region, with the first
east and west Germany weddings expected in
shows that major politi- February.
cal events such as Brexit The Northern Ireland
can speed events up. (Executive Formation etc)
“Everything is moving Act 2019 also includes provi-
in that direction. I sions for a new pension paid
to injured victims of the
believe it was moving Troubles.
there even before Brexit, The Act was ostensibly
but clearly Brexit has designed by the British
become a catalyst for it. Government to provide the More than 1,000 days since executive. laws that criminalized abor-
“What is important to legal framework for under- powersharing imploded amid The DUP’s attempt to tion have fallen away, the
note is the German pressure civil servants to con- a row over a botched green table legislation to halt the British Government has
example. I think with tinue running public services energy scheme, recent abortion reform fell at the assumed responsibility for
the Berlin wall, in the region in the ongoing months saw limited progress first hurdle after outgoing introducing new regulations
Germany was reunited absence of powersharing. in efforts to resolve the raft of speaker Robin Newton ruled to provide greater access to
within a year…the fact However, during its pas- issues still preventing the that the bill could not be con- terminations in the region by
that events overtook and sage through UK Parliament DUP and Sinn Féin re-enter- sidered until a new speaker next April.
the country was unified in the summer, opposition ing government together. was elected – an appointment The Northern Ireland
within a year.” MPs bolted on amendments The Assembly did sit for that was impossible without Office will consult on the
Ms O’Neill said the to the law to bring about the the first time in over two and nationalist approval. shape and remit of the new
“genie is out of the bot- historic abortion and mar- half years on Monday, after Sinn Féin boycotted pro- services.
In the interim period,
tle” when it comes to the riage reforms. DUP members and several ceedings while the SDLP women will be offered free
walked out after making clear
The only way the law
other anti-abortion unionists
issue of a united changes could have been signed a recall petition to it would not participate in the transport to access abortion
Ireland. halted ahead of the midnight reconvene proceedings. election of a speaker. services in England.
“The prudent thing deadline was if a new However, the members DUP leader Arlene Foster Under the Act, the British
now is to start planning devolved executive had been were unable to influence the has vowed to explore legal Government is also obliged
for it. If the Irish in place before then. law changes as the Assembly options to stop the liberaliza- to make regulations to
Government does not That was also going to be could not function properly tion of abortion in the region. extend same-sex marriage to
want to fall into the a long shot. in the absence of a ministerial However, Sinn Féin leader Northern Ireland by January
same trap as the British Mary Lou McDonald wel- 13.
Government has in Taking account of a comed the law changes, Taking account of a
terms of Brexit, then branding the DUP’s behav- required notification period
now is the time to plan required notification period iour in the Assembly cham- engaged couples must
and have that conversa- ber a stunt. observe, the first weddings
tion.” engaged couples must Northern Ireland had the are anticipated around
She said negotiations strictest abortion regime in Valentine’s Day in February.
between the UK, EU and observe,the first weddings the UK or Ireland, with ter- The British Government is
Ireland must take place minations only permitted if also required to make regula-
before any border poll, are anticipated around the mother’s life was in dan- tions to introduce a victims
ger or there was a serious risk
pension scheme in Northern
so the “disorder” caused to her physical or mental Ireland by the end of January,
by Brexit will not hap- Valentine’s Day in February. health. to be in operation by the end
pen again. C Now the 19th-century of May. C

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