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09/01/2017
Law To Protect Mothers Who Breastfeed To Be Introduced
New legislation to protect mothers who breastfeed their children in public is to be introduced in Northern Ireland.
Health Minister Michelle O'Neill will bring forward the legislation.
Minister O'Neill, said: "I have listened to mothers and am convinced that specific legislation is a pro-active and necessary approach to ensure that the rights of mothers and their children are fully protected. It will ensure that breast and bottle-feeding mothers are given equal access to feed their children with confidence and without interruption in a public place.
"My Department's Breastfeeding Strategy 2013-2023, includes a strategic action to introduce legislation to support and protect breastfeeding infants and their mothers in public places. I intend to take this forward and I aim to do it as quickly as possible. The details of this legislation will be consulted upon as soon practicable and I hope to introduce this to the Assembly at the earliest possible date."
Sinn Féin MLA Catherine Seeley welcomed the plans.
She said: "I welcome the news that my party colleague and Health Minister Michelle O’Neill is bringing forward this legislation.
"This will ensure that breast and bottle-feeding mothers are given equal access to feed their children with confidence and without interruption in a public place.
"Breastfeeding is a perfectly natural and healthy thing to do and the rights of mothers should be protected."
(CD/MH)
Health Minister Michelle O'Neill will bring forward the legislation.
Minister O'Neill, said: "I have listened to mothers and am convinced that specific legislation is a pro-active and necessary approach to ensure that the rights of mothers and their children are fully protected. It will ensure that breast and bottle-feeding mothers are given equal access to feed their children with confidence and without interruption in a public place.
"My Department's Breastfeeding Strategy 2013-2023, includes a strategic action to introduce legislation to support and protect breastfeeding infants and their mothers in public places. I intend to take this forward and I aim to do it as quickly as possible. The details of this legislation will be consulted upon as soon practicable and I hope to introduce this to the Assembly at the earliest possible date."
Sinn Féin MLA Catherine Seeley welcomed the plans.
She said: "I welcome the news that my party colleague and Health Minister Michelle O’Neill is bringing forward this legislation.
"This will ensure that breast and bottle-feeding mothers are given equal access to feed their children with confidence and without interruption in a public place.
"Breastfeeding is a perfectly natural and healthy thing to do and the rights of mothers should be protected."
(CD/MH)
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Mothers Are Skipping Meals To Feed Their Children - Research
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Women in Northern Ireland are skipping meals and are forced to go hungry to feed their children according to new research by the Women's Regional Consortium and Ulster University. The report found the decision to end the 'Holiday Hunger Scheme', coupled with rocketing food inflation, will increase hardship and food insecurity for families.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
