Coronavirus: Minister speaks of possible army deployment in Northern Ireland – including Irish armed forces

The matter was brought up during discussion of new pending powers to help crack down on Covid-19 rulebreakers in Northern Ireland, with the Coronavirus Bill expected to be passed by Westminster on Thursday.

But it remains unclear at time of writing precisely what the extent will be of any new powers for the police or other authorities.

Minister for health Robin Swann fielded a string of questions from fellow MLAs on a range of topics in the Assembly.

Fellow North Antrim MLA Jim Allister, leader of the TUV, began by commending minister Swann for his leadership so far in the crisis, saying “it’s good to have a steady hand on the tiller”, and he also praised the “selfless” health workers who are keeping the hospitals running.

He asked if the new powers will be able to compel factories to close for example, saying that he had been speaking to workers on assembly lines who were labouring effectively “shoulder to shoulder”, saying: “That makes a mockery of all were told about social distancing, yet what is the capacity to deal with that?”

Mr Allister then went on to add: “If it comes to it, and things get as bad as is feared, are we going to be fettered in any way in calling in the necessary support of the Army in this part of the UK?

“There certainly shouldn’t be, but is there? If we get to the point where our hospitals, particularly near the border, are being overrun by people outside the jurisdiction, anxious for help, are there steps we can or would or should take in that regard? Are there powers in this bill that would allow the minister to act to deal with that extreme situation?”

He hoped any decision to deploy soldiers will not be “trumped by politics”.

His address was interrupted twice; once by Sinn Fein MLA John O’Dowd who accused him of being “provocative”, and by DUP MLA Christopher Stalford who recalled that in 2001 at the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, “the army was deployed to help deliver essential supplies” and that was a time when the devolved government “included all parties – so there’s no legitimate reason why people could object”.

Addressing the points, Mr Swann told the Assembly: “The [coronavirus] bill provides for enforcement of the measures of closing premises and prohibiting gathering... these measures and enforcement powers focus on the owners and occupiers of premises and organisers of events; they do not target individual people, however foolish they may be, who choose to ignore advice and attend events”.

He added; “Members I recognise that this may not be enough if individual people do not heed the instruction and continue to behave in a way that puts their own health and that of others at risk.

“So if additional measures are needed such as fixed penalty notices to deal with individuals who behave irresponsibly then with the agreement of my executive colleagues we will not hesitate to introduce them.”

He said whilst he is actively curbing people’s liberty in doing so, he said the greatest liberty any person enjoys is the freedom to live.

He went on to add: “Will I use the army? Will I call in the army if I have to?

“If we get to a stage where they can provide a service that we can’t, folks I’ll use whoever is at my disposal.

“I’ll use whatever tool I have at my disposal to tackle this virus.

“If the Irish Army want to come up and help us too, when they’ve it sorted down there, I’d be more than happy to welcome them.

“So folks lets not let this debate or this issue be politicised.”

Earlier in the day the News Letter had asked Sinn Fein if Michelle O’Neill and her other ministers would accept the deployment of the army if it is deemed necessary.

The party said: “There are no plans or need for British military personnel to be deployed onto the streets.

“The civil contingency group has been established by the Executive.

“This comprises all of the key public sector agencies, Councils and blue light services in co-ordinating the response to this covid-19 emergency.

“The support to aid the civil authorities is considered to be sufficient.”