Stormont: concern political division is dictating pace of lockdown exit

Concerns have been raised that splits in the Stormont executive could be influencing the pace at which lockdown restrictions are eased in Northern Ireland.

While fisheries minister Edwin Poots has announced the opening of 30 Daera-controlled fishing facilities from Monday, deputy first minister has suggested the Covid-19 transmission rate is not yet low enough for a relaxation.

Mr Poots was commenting after the chief scientific advisor said some easing of restrictions could be considered.

On Thursday, Professor Ian Young said the number of people being infected by each carrier (the R number) is “now at a level where you could consider some relaxation if various other criteria were fulfilled.”

Speaking on the BBC’s The View programme, Mr Poots said that, as Daera minister he had the authority to open the fishing facilities, but said the executive wanted more time before making a decision on reopening other venues such as golf courses.

“We got a paper [on Thursday] shortly before the executive meeting and some of the parties wanted more time to absorb that paper, to look at it and to give it consideration.

“We will revisit it at the next executive meeting on Monday.”

In a Facebook post on Friday, TUV leader Jim Allister questioned why the executive had not lifted more restrictions in line with scientific opinion.

“The NHS has not been overwhelmed. The surge did not happen. The Nightingale [hospital] has been stood down.

“Our economy is in free-fall. What are we waiting on?” he said.

In a statement on Friday, he said: “The drip feed of baby steps to ease the lockdown is more reflective of division in the Executive than of a thought out strategy.

“If the science permits the opening of garden centres...then, patently the same science sanctions everything in Stage One [of the exit strategy]”.

An Executive Office spokesperson said: “The Executive’s pathway to recovery sets out the phased approach that ministers will take to slowly and gradually emerge from lockdown in the safest way possible. This requires judgements based on careful consideration of a range of complex issues.

“Ministers have committed to keeping the Coronavirus Regulations under continuous review and have indicated that they will provide a further update on future easements to the restrictions on Monday.”