Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly have delayed a decision which, among other things, would ban pro-life help from being offered on public streets near abortion facilities.

The vote was delayed after it failed to receive cross community support for an Assembly debate on the matter.

The “Abortion Service (Safe Access Zones) Bill” would make it a criminal offence to “influenc[e]… a… person [seeking an abortion], whether directly or indirectly” within “safe access zones”. This legislation would effectively criminalise any form of counselling, offer of material help or even prayer nearby an abortion facility.

Alina Dulgheriu, a mother who benefitted from the offer of pro-life support outside an abortion clinic, gave a statement on the behalf of the group “Be Here for Me”, urging politicians not to criminalise help:

“The support I received from peaceful volunteers outside the clinic where my abortion was scheduled changed my life. My daughter’s life was saved because of them. Please don’t criminalise offering help to women when they need it most.”