Men who have had sex with other men were barred from donating blood in Northern Ireland until 2016, when the lifetime ban was replaced with a 12-month deferral.

The High Court in Belfast ruled in 2013 that the lifetime ban was irrational and infected with apparent bias, but the Court of Appeal overturned the ruling in 2016.

The matter was due to go before the UK Supreme Court but the case was refused after the ban was lifted and it became “academic”.

The 12-month deferral is now set to be replaced with a three-month deferral, Health Minister Robin Swann announced this morning.

The minister said: “Current blood donation rules prevent people who engage in some sexual behaviours from giving blood for a 12-month period.

“Having considered the expert advice and evidence provided by the committee for the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs the deferral period for these people will now be reduced to three months.”