AQW 14245/17-22

Mr John Stewart
Ulster Unionist Party
East Antrim

Tabled Date: 08/02/2021
Answered On Date: 17/02/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Justice whether she is considering legislation to abolish the common law offence of blasphemy in Northern Ireland.

Answer:

I am committed to freedom of and from religion and am fully supportive of removing such archaic and unused offences from the law.

I am currently considering whether it will be possible for me to legislate to abolish the common law offence of blasphemy in Northern Ireland at this time, in light of the very heavy legislative agenda which is already developed for the remainder of this mandate.