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23/03/2012
'No Change' To Gay Adoption Laws
A current ban on gay and unmarried couples in Northern Ireland adopting will more than likely remain in place, it has been revealed.
Attorney General, John Larkin, QC, said adoption laws were to ensure child welfare rather than satisfy the wishes of would-be parents.
The news follows a legal challenge brought by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission: they were attempting to pass legislation that would bring NI's adoption laws in line with the rest of the UK.
The body claims that the current laws which prevent these groups adopting are discriminatory and breach human rights.
But the attorney general has contended that the commission's case involved "cardinal errors" in interpretation of the law and its own role in the litigation.
The basis for adoption was also not properly understood, he claimed.
However good the commission's intentions were, he questioned its position in the case.
"Adopted children, in the clear submission of the department, are not services and the department will always refuse to consider children as services," he stressed.
He concluded: "What happens in Scotland, England and Wales does not constitute a line into which Northern Ireland must be brought"
(LB)
Attorney General, John Larkin, QC, said adoption laws were to ensure child welfare rather than satisfy the wishes of would-be parents.
The news follows a legal challenge brought by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission: they were attempting to pass legislation that would bring NI's adoption laws in line with the rest of the UK.
The body claims that the current laws which prevent these groups adopting are discriminatory and breach human rights.
But the attorney general has contended that the commission's case involved "cardinal errors" in interpretation of the law and its own role in the litigation.
The basis for adoption was also not properly understood, he claimed.
However good the commission's intentions were, he questioned its position in the case.
"Adopted children, in the clear submission of the department, are not services and the department will always refuse to consider children as services," he stressed.
He concluded: "What happens in Scotland, England and Wales does not constitute a line into which Northern Ireland must be brought"
(LB)
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Gay and unmarried couples in Northern Ireland will be able to adopt children under proposals to overhaul adoption legislation. The proposal which was unveiled today, revealed that couples who have gone through a civil partnership as well as unmarried couples, whether of a different sex or the same sex, will be able to adopt.
Gay adoption laws to be reviewed
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23 April 2014
Consultation Expected On Breastfeeding Law
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14 October 2019
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An urgent appeal has been issued for people in Northern Ireland to consider adoption. Some 21 children are currently on the register seeking adoptive placement, with 13 needing to be placed alongside a brother or sister.
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Tougher Animal Welfare Laws Planned For Northern Ireland
Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir has outlined plans for significant animal welfare reforms in Northern Ireland. Key proposals include introducing a version of Lucy's Law to ban the third-party sale of puppies and kittens, outlawing the use of shock collars, and mandating microchipping for cats.
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Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir has outlined plans for significant animal welfare reforms in Northern Ireland. Key proposals include introducing a version of Lucy's Law to ban the third-party sale of puppies and kittens, outlawing the use of shock collars, and mandating microchipping for cats.
12 September 2006
Smacking laws in Northern Ireland under judicial review
An attempt to force the government to make smacking children illegal in Northern Ireland has gone through the first stage of judicial review in the High Court. Leave was granted for a judicial review of new laws which make it illegal for a parent/guardian to hit a child only if it results in lasting harm or marks.
Smacking laws in Northern Ireland under judicial review
An attempt to force the government to make smacking children illegal in Northern Ireland has gone through the first stage of judicial review in the High Court. Leave was granted for a judicial review of new laws which make it illegal for a parent/guardian to hit a child only if it results in lasting harm or marks.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
