SDLP leader and Foyle MP Colum Eastwood
Said the Foyle MP: ““It is a matter of regret that the Executive has failed to commission services in line with its legal obligations.
“This is a devolved matter and should have been dealt with by Ministers here.
“The SDLP has been warning for weeks that this British Government has shown no restraint when it comes to interfering with the devolution settlement.
“Those warnings were ignored and ridiculed by other parties around the Executive table.
“We have always said that the North of Ireland’s abortion laws should be determined by a locally accountable Executive.
“Parties have the opportunity to shape the commissioning of services in line with our legal obligations and according to the needs of local people or they can wait for the British Government to intervene again.
“Ducking difficult issues should no longer be an option.
“Whether it’s at the Executive or Westminster, the SDLP won’t duck and dive our legal responsibilities to provide access to healthcare services for women.”
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