Angry executive exchanges after DUP blocks move to extend circuit-break

DUP Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots’ call for the proposal to be decided using the cross-community voting mechanism – effectively handing his party a veto – provoked heated responses from other parties during a meeting on Tuesday night.

The recommendation to extend the circuit-break measures in their entirety was tabled by Health Minister Robin Swann, who warned of another spike in cases by mid-December if the move was not taken.

The DUP has been opposed to extending the full complement of restrictions beyond the original four-week period.

After Mr Swann’s paper was voted down, ministers turned to debating alternative proposals tabled by DUP Economy Minister Diane Dodds. Mrs Dodds has recommended a partial reopening of the hospitality sector.

Executive exchanges were ongoing on Tuesday night, with chief medical officer Dr Michael McBride and chief scientific adviser professor Ian Young outlining the implications of Mrs Dodds’ proposals.

The meeting convened around 6pm, almost 24 hours after exchanges broke up on Monday without agreement.

The Press Association (PA) reported that measures in Diane Dodds’ paper include:

– Close contact services, including driving lessons, can resume on November 13 by appointment only.

– Unlicensed premises, including cafes and coffee shops, can reopen on November 13.

– Hotels able to serve food and alcohol to residents.

– Licensed premises remain closed until November 27. “Safely open” group, involving hospitality sector and executive, to be established to oversee this move.

– Pubs and bars able to offer sealed off-sales from November 13.

Talks are ongoing.

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