LISTEN: Finance Minister warns lockdown recovery plan won't be rushed "to meet deadlines"

by Gráinne Connolly and Michael McHugh, PA

Ministers in Northern Ireland are pondering the most "crucial" decision they will ever make, as they consider how to end coronavirus lockdown.

Getting it wrong could have severe implications for people's lives, the finance minister in charge of Stormont's purse strings warned.

Conor Murphy said ensuring the process was correct was more important than setting dates as decision makers in Belfast and London prepare their exit strategy.

Addressing Stormont's daily coronavirus press conference, Minister Murphy said, So while the intention is clearly to have this ready for tomorrow and quite a lot of work has been done in relation to that, we are not driven by a date even though the review is to formally take place by 9th May. 

"More importantly is getting this right, getting the measures correct, making sure the message is understood and making sure the necessary arrangements are in place to manage this. 

"Hopefully that can be achived by tomorrow but I'd be concerned about getting it done correctly rather than rushing to an early decision to meet a deadline."

Finance Minister says he hopes a plan for recovery/easing lockdown restrictions will be ready to go tomorrow.
However, Mr Murphy says the plan is not "date-driven", he would rather get it right and have the necessary arrangements in place.

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) May 6, 2020

Meanwhile, Education Minister Peter Weir added, "This is probably the most crucial decision that this Executive will ever make so it is critical that all the details are got right."

"We will work together collectively and intensively to reach a successful conclusion on this."

Mr Weir added: "It is important that we give certainty to people as soon as we can.

"It is also important in these difficult circumstances that we give hope to people as soon as we can."

(Listen - Finance Minister Conor Murphy and Education Minister Peter Weir on easing lockdown restrictions)

On Wednesday 14 more Covid-19 deaths were reported in Northern Ireland. 

This brings total fatalities to 418, the Department of Health said, with three deaths occurring in the last 24 hours.

A total of 3,934 cases of the virus have been confirmed. 

In the Republic of Ireland, a further 37 deaths were reported since yesterday, bringing the total there to 1375

The Irish Government has already published details of its phased recovery plan.

Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill described Dublin's decision not to share the plan with Northern Ireland counterparts as "unfortunate" and "unhelpful" and again said there was a need to tackle the virus on an "all-island basis".

Stormont's ministerial Executive is due to meet on Thursday to discuss Northern Ireland's plan for exiting the lockdown.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson intends to announce the UK's roadmap on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Northern ireland's Education Minister did not set a firm date for reopening schools but raised the prospect that could happen outside traditional term time.

Education Minister @peterweirmla says despite speculation, there is no planned date for the reopening of schools in NI.
He said the decision will not be date driven, it will be guided by the science and phased. pic.twitter.com/vZVNKH2San

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) May 6, 2020

Mr Murphy sounded a note of caution on easing restrictions more generally.

"It is important to give at the earliest possible time a signal to people that there is light at the end of this tunnel and we will begin to move towards a slightly more normal society again," he said.

"But there are huge issues, these simply aren't just a matter of lifting restrictions, the consequences of doing this will have severe implications for our health system."

He also announced an additional £6.75 million for local hospices to support them with financial challenges.

Donations have fallen and charity shops are closed.

The minister added: "This funding will make a real difference to these organisations and the families they support."