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Gay marriage and abortion: Why are there different laws in Northern Ireland? Gay marriage and abortion: Why are there different laws in Northern Ireland?
(32 minutes later)
The strict laws on abortion and the ban on same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland are both set to change. The strict laws on abortion and the ban on same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland are set to change.
MPs in Westminster have decided to bring them more into line with the rest of the UK, where access to abortion is easier and same-sex marriage is legal. A bill bringing laws more in line with the rest of the UK, where access to abortion is easier and same-sex marriage is legal, has passed its final stage in Westminster.
How does Northern Ireland differ?How does Northern Ireland differ?
A 19th century law criminalising abortion in England, Wales and Scotland was changed by the 1967 Abortion Act. At the moment, same-sex marriage is not legal and access to abortion is severely restricted.
This allowed an abortion to be legally carried out up to a 24-week limit. In England, Wales and Scotland, laws that criminalised abortion were changed by the 1967 Abortion Act. This allowed an abortion to be legally carried out up to a 24-week limit.
It was also made legal beyond that in cases where the mother's health is threatened or if there is a substantial risk the baby will have serious disabilities. It was also made legal beyond that in cases where the mother's health is threatened, or if there is a substantial risk the baby will have serious disabilities.
But these changes didn't apply in Northern Ireland. But these changes did not apply to Northern Ireland, and abortion remains illegal. The only exception is if a woman's life is at risk, or there is a serious risk to her mental or physical health.
Abortion there is still governed by a 1945 law, which says it can only happen if a woman's life is at risk or there is a serious risk to her mental or physical health. Abnormalities of the fetus considered fatal, as well as rape and incest, are not circumstances in which abortions are allowed.
Abnormalities of the foetus considered fatal, as well as rape and incest are not circumstances in which abortions are allowed.
That means women from Northern Ireland have to travel to other parts of the UK to get abortions, either to NHS hospitals or private abortion clinics.
Northern Ireland is also the only part of the UK where same-sex marriage is not legal.Northern Ireland is also the only part of the UK where same-sex marriage is not legal.
A law that allowed same-sex marriage to be legalised in England and Wales came into force in July 2014. A law that allowed same-sex marriage to be legalised in England and Wales came into force in July 2014, and Scotland also legalised it that year.
Scotland legalised same-sex marriage later the same year. In the Republic of Ireland, a referendum in 2015 voted to legalise same-sex marriage.
In the Republic of Ireland, a referendum in May 2015 on same-sex marriage saw it legalised, with 62% voting in favour of it. And another referendum last year voted to make abortion legal in all circumstances up to the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. It can be later in cases of fatal abnormalities affecting the fetus - or where the mother's life is at risk.
Last May, Ireland also had a referendum on the abortion ban, and 66% of voters backed changing the law.
Abortion is now legal in all circumstances up to the first 12 weeks of pregnancy and later in cases of fatal abnormalities affecting the foetus - or where the mother's life is at risk.
What do people in Northern Ireland want?What do people in Northern Ireland want?
Last October, an Amnesty International poll said two-thirds of people in Northern Ireland felt it was time MPs in Westminster changed the abortion laws, given there was no government in Northern Ireland.Last October, an Amnesty International poll said two-thirds of people in Northern Ireland felt it was time MPs in Westminster changed the abortion laws, given there was no government in Northern Ireland.
That poll also showed that 65% of people thought that having an abortion should not be a crime. That poll also suggested that 65% of people thought that having an abortion should not be a crime.
But it's still a very divisive issue in Northern Ireland. But it's still a very divisive issue in Northern Ireland. While the current changes were being debated in Westminster, a letter was circulated at Catholic church services across Northern Ireland, calling for the decision to be reversed.
While the proposed changes were being discussed in Westminster, a letter was circulated at Catholic church services across Northern Ireland, calling for the decision to be reversed.
Those behind it said more than 16,000 people had signed the letter including Arlene Foster, the leader of the socially-conservative Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).Those behind it said more than 16,000 people had signed the letter including Arlene Foster, the leader of the socially-conservative Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).
A study last year showed that over time the public in Northern Ireland has changed its views on same-sex marriage and abortion. Another study last year suggested that over time the public in Northern Ireland has changed its views on both same-sex marriage and abortion.
In 1998, a majority of people thought same-sex relationships were always wrong, but this figure had fallen to 27% by 2013.In 1998, a majority of people thought same-sex relationships were always wrong, but this figure had fallen to 27% by 2013.
And by 2016, more than 80% thought the law should definitely or probably allow abortion where a foetus had a fatal abnormality, whereas in 1998 that figure was around 50%. And by 2016, more than 80% thought the law should definitely or probably allow abortion where a fetus had a fatal abnormality, whereas in 1998 that figure was around 50%.
In November 2015, a majority of members in the Northern Ireland Assembly - which has the power to decide laws on social issues - voted in favour of legalising same-sex marriage for the first time. In November 2015, a majority in the Northern Ireland Assembly - which has the power to decide laws on social issues - voted in favour of legalising same-sex marriage for the first time. But the move was blocked by the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) using a veto mechanism and legal challenges have not succeeded.
But it was blocked by the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) using a veto mechanism. On abortion, a majority of the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2016 voted against changing the law.
Several legal challenges have been made to try to overturn the ban on same-sex marriage but they were dismissed by judges. However, the other main political party, Sinn Féin, now supports moves to allow more access to abortion. It also supports legalising same-sex marriage.
On abortion, the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2016 debated plans to amend the laws, but the majority of assembly members voted against.
The DUP opposes changes to the abortion law.
However, the other main Northern Ireland political party, Sinn Féin, now supports moves to legalise same-sex marriage and to allow more access to abortion.
Other parties either support reform, or say it's a matter for the conscience of individual party members.
What did MPs do at Westminster?What did MPs do at Westminster?
MPs were debating a bill about keeping public services running in Northern Ireland in the absence of a functioning government there. MPs were debating a bill about keeping public services running in Northern Ireland as there is no functioning government there.
It has been without a government or assembly since January 2017, when the two ruling parties - the DUP and Sinn Féin - split in a bitter row. It has been without a government or assembly since January 2017, when the two parties who were sharing power - the DUP and Sinn Féin - split in a bitter row.
Two Labour MPs - Conor McGinn and Stella Creasy - tabled amendments to the bill to change the law on same-sex marriage and abortion so it's more in line with the rest of the UK.Two Labour MPs - Conor McGinn and Stella Creasy - tabled amendments to the bill to change the law on same-sex marriage and abortion so it's more in line with the rest of the UK.
These have now been approved by parliament, and the bill is due to become law later this week. These have now been approved by Parliament.
If by 21 October, government has not been restored in Northern Ireland, same-sex marriage will be legal and the rules restricting access to abortion will change. If by 21 October, government has not been restored in Northern Ireland, same-sex marriage will become legal and the rules restricting abortion will have to change.
However, there will be a delay before the changes come into effect.However, there will be a delay before the changes come into effect.
Regulations for same-sex marriage will come into force by January 2020 and for abortion by March 2020. New regulations for same-sex marriage will come into force by January 2020 and for abortion by March 2020.
The government has said there will be a consultation period to establish how the changes to abortion law will work.The government has said there will be a consultation period to establish how the changes to abortion law will work.
So for the moment, it is not clear if the law in Northern Ireland will become the same as elsewhere in the UK.So for the moment, it is not clear if the law in Northern Ireland will become the same as elsewhere in the UK.