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.

Cllr Áine Groogan said:
"This meeting should not have happened."

"Planning enforcement is clearly delegated to council officers for a reason, to ensure decisions are impartial, evidence-based, and grounded in planning law. Attempts by political parties to intervene in those decisions risks undermining that process, and could breach the standards set out in the councillors’ code of conduct."

"Some members of Belfast City Council have sought to drag council officers into the debate surrounding tonight's special meeting. We believe that is totally unacceptable. Officers are there to apply the law impartially, not to be pulled into political point-scoring by political parties."

"Councillors are also explicitly advised not to lobby for enforcement action or seek to influence officers. Tonight’s move cuts across that guidance and attempts to set a dangerous precedent."

"You don’t have to agree with a development to respect the process. Councillors regularly make decisions they may not personally support because the system must operate fairly and within the law."

"Instead, what we are seeing is distraction politics. While parties engage in headline-grabbing interventions, people in our city are facing real pressures, ever-increasing housing waiting lists, rising fuel costs, public services at breaking point, and ever growing inequality in our communities."

"Green politics is about doing things differently. That means respecting proper process, focusing on real outcomes, and refusing to play into political theatre that delivers nothing for the public we serve."

Green Party Councillor Aine Groogan said "I welcome the agreement this afternoon that Belfast City Council will seek to complete the sale of the Assembly rooms, effectively bringing it back into public ownership."

"It's over two years since the Green Party brought a motion demanding Castlebrook come to the table over their inaction in the Cathedral quarter and we are immensely proud that our continued focus on demanding an appropriate and sustainable regeneration scheme for this area has helped to shift the dial on the issue and get us to where we are today."

"This is a huge moment for our city. I am delighted we have been able to secure the future of this historic building and am excited for what the next chapter of this culturally significant site will hold."

ENDS