r/u_greenpartyni

The Green Party welcomes today’s judgment, which reinforces the purpose of the Safe Access Zones legislation that we brought forward and fought hard to deliver.

This law was introduced for one simple reason: to ensure that people accessing abortion services, and the healthcare staff providing them, can do so safely, privately, and free from harassment, intimidation, or attempts to influence their decisions.

From the outset, opponents of this legislation claimed it was an attack on religious freedom. That was never true. Everyone has the right to hold and express religious beliefs, but those rights do not extend to targeting people as they access healthcare.

The Supreme Court has confirmed that this law strikes the right balance, and today’s judgment makes clear that safe access zones are lawful, proportionate, and must be respected.

It is evident that this case was a deliberate attempt to test the legislation. The defendant admitted he chose the location deliberately, knowing the legal risks. The courts have rightly upheld the intent of the legislation and sent a clear message that these protections cannot be undermined.

Commenting on the judgment, Cllr Groogan said: “Buffer zones were introduced to protect women and pregnant people from harassment and intimidation while accessing healthcare. Everyone has a right to access healthcare, and the Supreme Court has clearly said this law strikes the right balance by protecting that right without compromising any other rights.”

“We are pleased that the law ensuring people can access healthcare safely and free from targeted interference is being enforced. The law is working as intended, and today the courts have upheld that position.”

The Green Party remains proud to have introduced this legislation and committed to defending safe access zones, reproductive rights, and the right of everyone to access healthcare without fear, pressure, or harassment.

We fought hard for buffer zones. The Supreme Court has confirmed they are lawful, proportionate and necessary. Reproductive rights are human rights and we’ll keep defending them. Join us. 💚 greenpartyni.org/join

The independent watchdog Office for Environmental Protection has delivered its verdict: NI’s agri-pollution regulations are not just struggling or imperfect - they’re failing.

Their conclusion is damning: gaps in the law, weak enforcement, and no clear targets.

The Agriculture & Environment Minister calls it a priority but the evidence says otherwise. Meanwhile Lough Neagh has been choking in blue green algae and Belfast Lough is under separate investigation for wastewater pollution.

This isn’t bad luck. It’s the consequence of years of weak political will and industry lobbying dressed up as “consultation.” The replacement regulations were due in 2024. They’re still not here.

Green Party NI Leader Mal O’Hara:

“This isn’t just an environmental story - it’s a public health story. Algal blooms and nutrient pollution are direct threats to people’s health and wellbeing, and every season DAERA stalls is another season of damage the next generation will have to clean up and pay for. The OEP calls it borrowing from our children. We call it negligence.

Green Party NI stands with farmers who want to do the right thing - but they need proper regulation, proper support, and a genuine just transition. The Agriculture & Environment Minister needs to stop treating clean water as a negotiating position and start treating it as the priority he claims it is.”

Fix the Nutrients Action Programme, fund the transition and stop borrowing this crisis from our children.

Lough Neagh is choking and the rules meant to fix it are failing. The replacement regulations were due in 2024 - they’re still not here. We can do better.

💚 https://greenpartyni.org/join