DUP MP hits out after Health Minister Robin Swann says ‘too many complexities’ to allow targets for easing lockdown to be made public

Health Minister Robin Swann has come under fire after suggesting the scientific basis for the possible easing of lockdown is too complex and uncertain to be made public.
Health Minister Robin Swann (pictured) has come in for criticism from DUP MP Carla LockhartHealth Minister Robin Swann (pictured) has come in for criticism from DUP MP Carla Lockhart
Health Minister Robin Swann (pictured) has come in for criticism from DUP MP Carla Lockhart

DUP MP Carla Lockhart hit out after Mr Swann said there are “too many complexities and uncertainties” to include clear indicators such as targets for case numbers or vaccination rates in the Northern Ireland Executive’s plan to ease lockdown.

Mr Swann, in a press conference earlier this week, defended the lack of information in the plan following fierce criticism from business groups. And in an interview broadcast by BBC Radio Ulster yesterday morning, Mr Swann insisted the blueprint was “data driven” despite the absence of specific data points such as the number of hospital patients in order to allow society to be reopened.

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He said: “We can’t put numbers against those things because there is no exact science. There is no one magic trigger point, no magic number that allows us to move to the next step.”

The Deputy First Minister, Sinn Fein MLA Michelle O’Neill, made similar comments during a press conference on Thursday.

“We recognise that people want exact data parameters that will enable us to move through each stage,” she said. “However, there are still too many variables to allow us to do that with any degree of certainty.”

Ms Lockhart, however, has said people should still be informed about how decisions are being made.

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“The scientific data underlying the decision-making process may be complex but that in itself does not appear to be justification for not making it available to the public,” she said in a statement to the News Letter.

“People have understood throughout the pandemic that the decisions facing ministers are both complex and challenging. They know there is no simple formula or ‘tick box’ exercise which can see restrictions imposed or lifted.

“However there is still a need for the maximum possible transparency and openness in decision-making.”

She added: “The executive has agreed that health, societal and economic impacts are to be assessed in the decision-making process. Indeed, we should be utilising relevant data beyond Northern Ireland, including the impact of vaccination.

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“The publication of data should give reassurance to the health minister that the public will see the information informing those decisions, particularly around the health impact of relaxations to restrictions.”