Abortion: NI peers demand speaking time in Lords debate on new laws

Nine Northern Ireland peers have written an open letter to the government calling for more time to speak on the issue before a vote.

Lords are expected to vote on whether to affirm the new abortion regime which was introduced to Northern Ireland earlier this year.

House of Lords authorities have said that eight Northern Ireland peers, who are listed to speak, should be allocated 13 minutes between them.

The signatories to the letter requesting the time is increased to five minutes each are former police ombudsman, Baroness Nuala O’Loan; former SDLP leader, Baroness Ritchie; former Assembly speaker, Lord Hay; Lord Kilclooney; DUP chairman, Lord Morrow; the former archbishop of Armagh, Lord Eames; Lord Maginnis; Lord Browne and Lord McCrea.

Baroness O’Loan said: “The proposed arrangements are wholly unacceptable and treat Northern Ireland with contempt.

“There is a case that only peers from Northern Ireland should be able to vote on Northern Ireland-only laws.”

She added: “What we are asking for is something far more modest, simply that parliamentarians from Northern Ireland should not be prevented from the opportunity to give meaningful speeches in relation to this legislation that only applies to Northern Ireland.”