Michelle O’Neill blames DUP for blocking proposals designed to ‘save lives’

The deputy First Minister claimed her party, Sinn Fein, along with the UUP, the SDLP and the Alliance Party voted in favour of Minister Swann’s proposals only for them to be blocked by the DUP.

“Last night at the Executive we were warned by the Chief Medical Officer that any easing of the current restrictions would cause ‘excess deaths’.

“The advice was stark and clear – if we don’t keep current restrictions in place for another two weeks, more people will die.

“My priority has been to save lives, protect livelihoods and ensure that our health service would not be overwhelmed by the spread of the virus.”

Deputy First Minister O’Neill added: “Last night the Health Minister brought forward a paper which made it very clear there should be an extension of the current restrictions for another two weeks to reduce the spread of the virus and its impact on society.

“The health minister’s proposal to extend the restrictions was put to a vote in the Executive.

“Sinn Féin, the UUP, the SDLP and the Alliance Party, a majority of the Executive voted in favour of the health minister’s proposals.

“The DUP voted against, used their veto and blocked the Health Minister’s proposal.”

Ms. O’Neill went on to say she would continue to be “guided by the science” and criticised the Department for the Economy, with whom DUP MLA Diane Dodds is the minister responsible, for a “delay” in getting financial support low income families.

“The Coronavirus doesn’t recognise or respect any community, it is a threat to all our people. The Chief Medical Officer’s advice last night was stark and clear that easing of the restrictions would cause excess deaths.

“We will return to the Executive today and my approach will continue to be guided by the medical advice and the Executive’s joint policy objective to save lives, prevent our health service and workers being overwhelmed and provide financial support for businesses, workers and their families.

“Four weeks on, workers and low-income families are still waiting on financial help promised by the Department of Economy. That delay is unacceptable and needs to be fixed immediately.”