Stormont farce goes on: A veto, a new plan, and yet another day wasted as businesses count the cost of political failure

Having known that the decision was looming for four weeks, the Executive left it to the last minute to even start drawing up a strategy for what would happen when the restrictions end at midnight tomorrow.

After days of inaction, inertia and unsuccessful DUP-Sinn Fein horse-trading away from the Executive table, ministers eventually met this evening to discuss whether to extend the four-week restrictions which expire this weekend.

A proposal for a two-week extension from Health Minister Robin Swann, conveying the advice of the chief medical officer, was voted down by the DUP which used the nuclear option available to it – its Executive veto which can be deployed by any three ministers.

However, as soon as that proposal had been defeated the DUP Economy Minister Diane Dodds – who, like Arlene Foster had insisted the restrictions would end after four weeks – then proposed a partial extension of the restrictions in an apparent attempt to secure some compromise.

After further delays, as the News Letter went to press tonight ministers were back in discussions with a source saying that they were discussing the detail of their plan.

However, one of the outcomes of the Executive’s remarkable lethargy in coming to a decision is that some businesses which might have benefited from a relaxation in the rules and been allowed to open this weekend have said that they now have too little time to order stock and make the other necessary preparations.

It is still not entirely clear why the decision ended up being pushed back until so close to the point where the current regulations are due to expire.

A week ago, ministers were given a paper from Health Minister Robin Swann which proposed a two-week extension to restrictions alongside a major support package for businesses not allowed to open.

Last Thursday the Executive discussed that but did not make any decision. There were then no emergency Executive meetings over the weekend but on Sunday Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill set out a plan involving allowing restaurants to reopen but banning them from serving alcohol.

Ms O’Neill claimed in that interview that she and the first minister were in complete agreement about the issue, but over the last two days it has increasingly appeared that they are in fact in deep disagreement.

Ministers met on Monday morning, then adjourned without a decision, met again that afternoon and also adjourned without a decision, then Mrs Foster and Ms O’Neill called a meeting for Monday night before calling it off at the last moment.

The Executive was then meant to meet this morning, but did not. After a series of further delays, ministers finally reconvened at tea time tonight.

During that meeting a vote was called on Mr Swann’s proposal and the DUP deployed its veto to block it before Mrs Dodds’ proposal emerged for the first time.

Tonight the Press Association reported that Mrs Dodds’ proposal involved:

l Close contact services, including driving lessons, can resume on Friday by appointment only;

l Unlicensed premises, including cafes and coffee shops, can reopen on Friday;

l Hotels able to serve food and alcohol to residents;

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

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

If agreement is reached, the first and deputy first ministers are expected to come to the Assembly chamber to make the announcement tomorrow.

Last Monday in the Assembly Ms O’Neill gave a pledge to businesses that they would receive a decision in good time to plan for reopening. She told MLAs that day: “The Executive are working their way through the exit strategy and what that looks like.

“We need to be able to communicate that well in advance of November 13 because we need people to have the information so that they can plan.”

TUV leader Jim Allister goaded the Executive which he has always said was unworkable by telling them that Northern Ireland no longer needs a circuit breaker, but a “circus breaker” to break away from the theatrics at Stormont.

This morning, the first minister expressed confidence that the Executive could find a consensus position.

She told the Assembly there was a need to develop a “clear exit strategy” from the quasi-lockdown measures.

“I do not believe that we can continually go into circuit-breakers, lockdowns, call them what you will,” she said.

“You cannot keep turning on and off the economy.

“When you go back on one occasion there’ll be nothing left and people will not have jobs, they will not be able to support their families, they will fall into destitution and poverty, and that in and of itself has its own health outcomes – mental health and, as I say, the issues around poverty.”

Sinn Fein MP Chris Hazzard told Talkback that his party supported the resumption of close contact services but believed the restrictions on the hospitality sector should be extended.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers — and consequently the revenue we receive — we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to newsletter.co.uk and enjoy unlimited access to the best Northern Ireland and UK news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Alistair Bushe

Editor