Were Poots and Atwood asleep at the wheel?
23 October 2012
Statement by TUV Leader Jim Allister:-"Two new revelations in the Marie Stopes controversy leave both Ministers Poots and Atwood with questions to answer.
"First, it has emerged that Minister Poots knew as long ago as January 2012 that Marie Stopes International (MSI) was in contact with RQIA about a proposed facility in Belfast. What did he do? It's now clear monitoring regulation is inadequate to control this clinic, so, why were 9 months allowed to tick by with nothing put in place? This inaction suggests serious dereliction of duty in planning how to deal with a project designed to challenge our law on abortion.
"Secondly, it now appears a change of use planning application by MSI sailed through in the spring on the fast-track streamlined system, without a single councillor in Belfast raising any issue. The streamlined procedure is for non-contentious applications; opening a 'medical' facility to perform abortions in a city centre office block is hardly non-contentious!
"I am therefore tabling these questions to the two ministers:-
PRIORITY WR Q
To ask DHSSPS what steps were taken since the minister became aware in January 2012 of the intention to open a Marie Stopes Abortion Clinic to ensure adequate regulation was put in place and why was an unregulated context allowed to continue.
PRIORITY Wr Q
To ask DOE why was the change of use application to facilitate the Marie Stopes Abortion Clinic deemed non-contentious and processed by way of the streamlined procedure, with minimal opportunity for consultation."
