Debate contribution: Conversion Practices (Criminalisation) Bill: Second Stage

Debate contribution by Mr Eóin Tennyson on 22 September 2026.

MLA: Mr Eóin Tennyson
Party at the time: Alliance Party
Date: 22 September 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Private Members' Business
Heading: Conversion Practices (Criminalisation) Bill: Second Stage
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5741441

Text

I thank the Member for giving way. We have considered the convention rights in developing the Bill. We have received correspondence from the Equality Commission, and we have engaged with the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. We have looked at the equality assessments undertaken at pre-consultation stage by the Scottish Government and post publication of draft legislation in the UK Bill at Westminster. Therefore, we have fully considered the issues of convention rights. On the drafting, as we have rehearsed on many occasions now, many of the legal concepts in the Bill are based on concepts in other jurisdictions or in respect of coercive behaviour and harm. Those concepts already apply successfully in Northern Ireland law. Therefore, the question is not whether Members, with respect, can get their heads around them in the Chamber. The question is whether the courts can interpret them and apply them consistently. Given that I have had regard to other legislation in drafting the legislation, I am confident that the courts could do so.

169 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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