13/09/2013

Minister To Bring Gay Couple Adoption Case To Supreme Court

The National Union of Students (NUS) USI President Rebecca Hall has said that it is absolutely disgraceful that the Health Minister Edwin Poots is set to take his fight against the extension of adoption rights to gay and unmarried couples to the Supreme Court.

Rebecca Hall said: "It is an absolute disgrace that the Minister is set to do this. Why can he not accept the ruling of the High Court and the Court of Appeal?

"It is appalling that one of Northern Ireland's government ministers could take such action. In bringing this to the Supreme Court and not accepting previous rulings, he will be bringing shame on Northern Ireland.

"I want to ask the Minster whether the money that will be spent on bringing this case to the Supreme Court is coming from the Department of Health's budget or his own pocket? If it is coming from the Department's budget, this could mean that hospitals and other parts of our health service could suffer due to already scarce health resources being spent on this case?

"Northern Ireland needs equality for gay and unmarried couples immediately."

(CD/JP)

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