The newly agreed Programme for Government includes a commitment to impose ‘exclusion zones’ which would stop even silent pro-life vigils outside hospitals and GP surgeries where abortions take place or are facilitated. This is an extreme measure and, as a national law, would be unique in Europe.

The Programme includes other measures of concern. For example, it promises yet another Citizens’ Assembly, this time on the future of schools. Will this have denominational education in its sights? It wants to strengthen ‘hate crime’ legislation. Will this overreach and attack free speech, including that of religious believers?