Northern Ireland could be left in lockdown limbo without functioning executive

By Q Radio News

Northern Ireland could be left in lockdown limbo if the Stormont Executive remains in deadlock, health minister Robin Swann has warned.

Relaxations of the current lockdown restrictions were due to be discussed and decided upon by the Executive tomorrow, but that will not happen as there is currently no first or deputy first minister.

Neither of the two largest parties, Sinn Fein or the DUP has approved picks for assembly leaders.

Northern Ireland could be left in lockdown limbo if the Stormont Executive remains in deadlock, health minister Robin Swann has warnedhttps://t.co/983MVYLU7C

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) June 16, 2021

When Arlene Foster stepped down on Monday, the clock started ticking on the seven-day time limit on approving nominations for First and Deputy First Minister.

But neither party has shown signs yet of beginning the transition to new leaders - which means there will be no meeting of the Executive to decide a route out of lockdown tomorrow.

Mr Swann warned yesterday that because Public Health is a devolved issue - Westminister does not deal with it for any of the devolved nations - no one knows who can plot a way out of lockdown for people in Northern Ireland without a functioning government.

He said that even deciding which countries should be on a red or green list, or how long people should quarantine for, are issues that would need a First Minister in place to implement any recommendations he makes into law.

The health minister explained that there is no way of deciding “what countries should be on Northern Ireland’s red list or even green list If there’s no executive to agree to recommendations that come forward from myself and from my department as well. It is a challenging and trying time.”

Meanwhile, DUP MLA, Pam Cameron, called for more support for Northern Ireland’s beleaguered travel industry.

She told assembly members yesterday:  “We need to look at how the whole communication of green lists and so on is made. We need to ensure the public has clarity on what travel is allowed. The implications of travel and the impact that this has on cost and quarantine. 

“We must also look at support for our travel industry. It’s an industry that has been decimated by Covid restrictions.

“Many travel agents are in dire straits with no end in sight of travel restrictions and I urge the executive to continue to provide this much-needed support”