Internal Department of Justice documents shows senior officials believe the new regime of decriminalizing abortion in Northern Ireland will present “obvious difficulties” for health professionals and the Department of Health.

Axar.az reports citing Newsletter that the news comes after pro-life groups raised concerns that the new legal situation in Northern Ireland will provide little protection for health care professionals who wish to exercise conscientious objection to taking part in abortions. Other difficulties such groups envisage are regarding abortion pills and the readiness of the health service to provide abortions in NI.

At present in NI abortion is only lawful if there is a serious risk to a woman’s health – the most restrictive legal framework in the British Isles. However, legislation passed in Westminster over the summer means that unless the NI Assembly is reinstated by October 21, abortion will become totally decriminalized in NI.

The emails were uncovered under the Freedom of Information Act and passed to public affairs charity CARE NI.