Abortion will be available to women from the North of Ireland once the Republic initiates its radical abortion regime, the Minister for Health, Simon Harris, has promised.

Speaking at an event in Belfast on Tuesday night, Mr Harris said that he thinks the law up there should be changed to allow for widespread abortion but, in the meantime, women will be welcome to travel across the border to abort their unborn children in clinics and GP surgeries in the South. “Whilst I respect the issue of abortion laws in Northern Ireland is a matter for public representatives in Northern Ireland, I really hope this is addressed in the near future,” he said.

“In the meantime, I intend to ensure women from Northern Ireland can access such services in the Republic, just like they can access other health services here,” he added.