Ending the life of an unborn child

Part of Executive Committee Business – in the Northern Ireland Assembly at 11:15 am on 12 March 2013.

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Photo of Paul Givan Paul Givan DUP 11:15, 12 March 2013

Thank you, Mr Speaker.  The Member makes a valid point and it has been put out there for those who oppose amendment No 1.  The thousands of women who voted for me in Lagan Valley knew that I was a man when they did so and knew that I would represent the views that they hold very dearly.

I will be voting on amendment No 1, and I will expect those who take the view that a man should not be talking about this particular issue, and want to put that forward as a reason why I should not be doing it, to abstain in the vote.  That would be the consistent and logical thing to do.  It would be hypocrisy for men who are opposed to amendment No 1 on the basis that it is a women-only issue to vote against it.  I will wait with interest to see how those male colleagues decide to vote in this particular interest.