Summary

  • MLAs pay tribute to SDLP politician John Dallat who died last week

  • Infrastructure minister brings forward motion on electrically-assisted bicycles

  1. Good afternoonpublished at 14:13 British Summer Time 12 May 2020

    stormont

    That's all from us this afternoon.

    We'll be back with more coverage of the NI Assembly tomorrow morning when we'll be joining the Education Committee.

    They're due to hear from exam board officials about Post Primary Transfer tests.

    In the afternoon, we'll hear more on the impact of Covid-19 - this time on local councils.

    Join us from 09:15.

    Until then, stay safe.

  2. Stormont to be 'lit up blue' for nursespublished at 14:05 British Summer Time 12 May 2020

    The Principal Deputy Speaker, Christopher Stalford, thanks the ministers for coming to the house.

    He says between them they got through 60 questions.

    He announces that Stormont “will be lit up blue tonight as a tribute to all our nurses”.

    Mr Stalford then adjourns the sitting.

    Christopher StalfordImage source, NI Assembly
  3. 'Parents still want academic selection'published at 14:05 British Summer Time 12 May 2020

    Chris Lyttle of Alliance asks "how it is right to require 10-year-old children to sit those transfer tests in November and December of this year, further to several months of remote learning and up to three further stages of blended school and remote learning, when the executive can take action to change the use of these tests for post-primary transfer admissions?"

    First Minister Arlene Foster says Mr Lyttle "knows that parents still want to see academic selection".

    boy writingImage source, Getty Images

    She says that "as that is the case" then "that should be facilitated".

    Mrs Foster says that if the member has concerns he should raise them, not just with the education minister, but with the two bodies that organise the tests.

    Mr Lyttle says he will do so at the Education Committee committee this week.

    Mrs O'Neill says she agrees with Mr Lyttle that "it's very unfair".

  4. 'People are still afraid'published at 13:57 British Summer Time 12 May 2020

    Gerry Carroll of People Before Profit raises concerns that constituents have made to him about unsafe working conditions. He asks the ministers if they believe more could have been done to protect essential workers.

    Mrs O’Neill says she hopes he has reported the concerns to the Health and Safety Executive.

    “No workers should be going to work in an unsafe situation.

    “I absolutely support any worker walking out of the workplace if it is not safe,” she says.

    gerry CarrollImage source, NI Assembly

    "Every single employer must adhere to that guidance," Mrs O'Neill says.

    "People are still afraid" says the deputy first minister, "employers have a duty to protect the workforce".

  5. 'Not so much about the slogan, but the actions’published at 13:49 British Summer Time 12 May 2020

    Rachel Woods of the Green Party asks the ministers about the return to work.

    She says people need assurance and clarity on this matter and asks about the executive’s responsibility for the implementation of guidance issued to businesses.

    The first minister replies that guidance was brought forward with input from a range of stakeholders.

    Rachel WoodsImage source, NI Assembly

    Jim Allister of Traditional Unionist Voice asks the first minister for “a sense of urgency as to the resuscitation of our economy”.

    He says the “stagnation of the status quo” will have a huge impact.

    Mrs Foster says she “agrees with the member that we have benefited greatly” from UK funding.

    She says it’s important that there is a localised response, something she says is understood by the prime minister.

    Mrs Foster says she agrees with Mr Allister that “it’s not so much about the slogan, but the actions”.

    Jim AllisterImage source, NI Assembly
  6. 'I expect there will be an economic stimulus package'published at 13:47 British Summer Time 12 May 2020

    The SDLP's Dolores Kelly asks about policing the restrictions as they are lifted.

    First Minister Arlene Foster says they are "actively considering" using additional officials apart from the police to enforce the regulations, including council officers.

    We are open signImage source, Getty Images

    Andrew Muir of Alliance asks about an economic stimulation package with support from Westminster.

    "I expect that there will be an economic stimulus package later on," says Mrs Foster.

  7. 'We are trying to improve the data'published at 13:41 British Summer Time 12 May 2020

    John Stewart of the UUP begins by paying tribute to nurses on International Nursing Day.

    He asks for more guidance around “who is responsible for ensuring workplace safety?”

    Mrs Foster replies that there is guidance already available.

    “Safety in the workplace is the Health and Safety Executive's remit, and obviously some retail outlets, and issues like that, that’s the local councils’ that would deal with that issue," says the first minister.

    She adds that the executive is looking into the question of statutory sick pay and the private care homes sector.

    John StewartImage source, NI Assembly

    Jim Wells, the DUP MLA who has had the party whip removed, asks about accurate data around coronavirus and nursing homes.

    Mrs Foster says “RQIA have been trying to ensure they get information from the care homes”.

    She says that as they are in the private sector, "there isn't the same resilience in terms of the information coming forward from those care homes".

    “We are trying to improve the data we get and we have made good progress, “ she says, but adds there are still, "I think it’s fair to say, issues around the data we are getting from our nursing homes and whether it can be used publicly".

    Mrs Foster adds that all data has to be "ratified" adding that "there are very strict and stringent rules about data we can put out publicly".

    Jim WellsImage source, NI Assembly
  8. 'Disease knows no borders or barriers'published at 13:35 British Summer Time 12 May 2020

    Emma Sheerin for Sinn Féin asks the ministers how a cross-border strategy will maximise opportunity and advantage.

    Michelle O’Neill replies that the two chief medical officers are working closely together.

    She says the “disease knows no borders or barriers” and it’s “important we move forward in as joined-up a manner as we possibly can”.

    The deputy first minister says cross-border engagement is “crucial”.

    She adds that the Secretary of State, Brandon Lewis, is also included in those meetings with ministers north and south.

    Emma SherrinImage source, NI Assembly

    Alliance's Paula Bradshaw asks the ministers about references in the document to the "reintroduction of wider health and care services".

    She says there is a lack of detail and asks if there will be another report on this issue.

    Arlene Foster says that prior to Covid-19 there were over 300,000 people on waiting lists.

    She says "we know there is going to be a huge challenge around non-Covid health care".

    The first minister adds that work is ongoing as to how to deal with the "reverse surge" and and how we “switch on those services again”.

    She says the health minister may be able to say more on this issue on Thursday.

    Mrs O’Neill, the deputy first minister, says “nobody is underestimating the challenges we have”.

    “It’s going to be a very challenging picture”.

    Paula bradsahwImage source, NI Assembly
  9. Returning to schoolpublished at 13:35 British Summer Time 12 May 2020

    Doug Beattie of the UUP welcomes the "cohesion" shown by the executive.

    He asks how the setting of dates for school transfer test in November and December sits with the executive's approach of not having a timescale.

    Mr Asks if the cost of applying for transfer tests could be waived for this year.

    The first minister says this could be passed on to the education minister for liaison "with the various bodies".

    Michelle O'Neill expresses her objection to this idea given her party's objection to academic selection.

    On the more general subject of school reopening Mrs Foster says, "we have a different term time from England, that's the reality" and that if Northern Ireland tried to re-start some primary classes at the beginning of June then term-time would soon end.

    school desksImage source, Getty Images

    Joanne Bunting of the DUP asks about the balance between "the loss of life versus the loss of livelihood - both devastating for families"

    What assurance can the ministers give the business community that they have found the right balance?

    Michelle O'Neill says they have been working with the Labour Relations Agency, trade unions and business organisations to provide string guidelines regarding safety in the workplace.

  10. How many contact tracers are required in NI?published at 13:29 British Summer Time 12 May 2020

    Matthew O'Toole of the SDLP asks the ministers to outline how many contact tracers would be required in Northern Ireland, if the R rate was reduced, in order to ease some restrictions.

    Mrs Foster replies that the member "is right to ask the question".

    She says she doesn't have the figures with her today, but the health minister may have more detail on Thursday when he addresses the house.

    Matthew O'TooleImage source, NI Assembly

    Mr O'Toole asks a supplementary question about furloughing and whether the executive will ask the chancellor to be flexible.

    Mrs Foster replies that the executive will make more interventions to the government on this issue.

    She also welcomes the statement from the chancellor has made about enabling people to come back to work part time.

  11. 'People want concrete information'published at 13:05 British Summer Time 12 May 2020

    Martina Anderson of Sinn Féin asks the ministers to outline the “guiding principles” behind the five stages mentioned in the opening statement.

    Sinn Féin’s Michelle O’Neill says "people want concrete information, and I absolutely understand that”.

    sisters huggingImage source, Getty Images

    She says, “when it comes to family and community” they are mentioned in the first phase in the executive document.

    She says, “if everyone is compliant and we get the 'R' rate down, we could get there very quickly”.

    But the deputy first minister emphasises that all decisions will be “science led” before specific phases are entered.

  12. Role of the new joint bio-security centrepublished at 13:04 British Summer Time 12 May 2020

    The DUP's Pam Cameron says "we're all incredibly worried" about care homes and welcomes the news that there will be a separate, more comprehensive paper coming on this issue.

    She asks about the role of the new joint bio-security centre mentioned by the first minister in her speech.

    scientistsImage source, Getty Images

    Mrs Foster says, "the idea behind that is that we will have the expertise in the centre that will then look at all of the devolved regions and so if there is a localised outbreak then we can take a localised action".

  13. Testing 'not where it should be yet'published at 13:04 British Summer Time 12 May 2020

    Pat Sheehan of Sinn Féin asks the ministers about testing and the need to ensure all suspected cases should be tested and traced.

    The MLA's party colleague Michelle O'Neill replies that there is recognition across the executive that “the cornerstone” of recovery is testing, trace and isolation.

    She says of testing, “it’s not where it should be yet, but there are improvements nonetheless".

    The deputy first minister says there is now capacity to test "just over 2,000 per day", adding that will be "ramped up to an additional 1,000 per day".

    Pat SheehanImage source, NI Assembly

    “There is a way to go, the lynchpin in all of this is having those three things working in tandem,” she says.

    On tracing, she says she welcomes the fact the pilot programme is up and running.

  14. 'Keep the faith, be patient'published at 12:51 British Summer Time 12 May 2020

    Gary Middleton of the DUP asks the first minister for her response "to those people who are already raising concerns about detail in the document".

    “We expected that to happen, Gary,” says the first minister.

    She outlines that the document “set out the current position” and says it will be reviewed.

    The DUP leader says she hopes the document will be a “living document” adding that “compliance is key” from the public.

    “Keep the faith, be patient and we will be able to move to step one."

    Gary MiddletonImage source, NI Assembly

    Mr Middleton asks a supplementary question about the different responses being taken across the devolved nations and asks the first minister's thoughts on what some have described as a “dis-united” approach from the United Kingdom.

    "I don't see it as that," says Mrs Foster.

    "We are working within a UK framework on our economic intervention," she says and adds that it is "important we have a localised response to what is going on here in NI".

    "I don't see see that as being a threat to the UK at all" she adds.

  15. 'Not the worst document in the world'published at 12:51 British Summer Time 12 May 2020

    Kellie Armstrong says it's "not the worst document in the world".

    She says there's no point in giving dates now, but asks what support can be given to people asking about childcare and when children will be going back to school.

    school closed signImage source, Getty Images

    Michelle O'Neill says she "absolutely" understands that people want to have a date - "I want to have a date".

    She adds that if people continue to comply with the regulations and stay at home "then we'll be in a position much quicker to be able to move and we won't hold on for one day longer".

  16. 'Light at the end of the tunnel'published at 12:40 British Summer Time 12 May 2020

    Steve Aiken, leader of the UUP, begins by saying “attacks on anybody” should be “rightly condemned”. It comes after police warned a number of politicians that threats had been issued against them by loyalist paramilitaries.

    Mr Aiken moves to the ministers' statement, and asks “what date are we likely to see the economy plan and will it address many concerns of companies fighting for survival?”.

    Steve AikenImage source, NI Assembly

    Mrs O’Neill replies that the five parties are “working together and trying to present a way forward”.

    She says “it’s about trying to give people that light at the end of the tunnel”.

    “Life as we know it beforehand isn’t going to be the same again, that being said we’re very adaptable people.”

    She says the sole focus of the executive has been on “saving lives” and that the executive has been looking towards what recovery will look like.

    "We don't have an unlimited pot of funding,” she adds.

    “We won’t be able to do all the things we want to do, but we will do our very best.”

  17. 'Covid-19 does not respect calendars'published at 12:36 British Summer Time 12 May 2020

    Colm Gildernew is the chair of the Health Committee.

    He thanks the ministers for their statement and welcomes the lack of timeframe included in the blueprint.

    “This virus is no more respect of calendars than it does of borders,” he says.

    The Sinn Féin MLA says he does have concerns about the care home sector, and also raises the issue of engaging and educating communities.

    Mr Gildernew references the death of a factory worker in Dungannon after she contracted Covid-19.

    Colm GildernewImage source, NI Assembly

    The first minister extends her sympathy to the family and relatives of the worker.

    She says in relation to care homes, “most of our care homes do not have Covid-19”.

    “We accept these are our most precious and vulnerable residents.

    “We are very much engaged in relation to care homes.”

    Mrs O’Neill also pays tribute to the factory worker who died.

    She says to all workers, “nobody should be working in unsafe practice”, adding that the guidance “needs to be translated into actual work practices”.

  18. Covid-19 had 'devastating impact on the NI economy'published at 12:36 British Summer Time 12 May 2020

    Paula Bradley of the DUP asks the ministers about plans for economic recovery.

    The first minister responds that the executive places health at the forefront of its plan.

    She says any “move forward” will be “on a step-by-step basis”.

    “Covid-19 has had, and if the economy minister was here, she would say a devastating impact on the Northern Ireland economy .

    “She will be bringing plans on the recovery element of that,” Mrs Foster adds.

    Paula BradleyImage source, NI Assembly

    In a supplementary question Ms Bradley asks for the ministers assessment of how many people have continued to “work hard and deliver for communities and the health service” during the pandemic.

    Mrs Foster thanks the “many firms” who have repurposed” their resources to help others throughout this period.

    The deputy first minister pays tribute to the companies who “very quickly” turned their resources around and says there is a need to ensure self sufficiency in Northern Ireland, should a second wave or another pandemic ever hit.

  19. Expansion of testing in care homespublished at 12:35 British Summer Time 12 May 2020

    Before initiating the questions, Deputy Principal Speaker Christopher Stalford condemns recent threats made by paramilitaries to three members of the house - Linda Dillon of Sinn Féin and Doug Beattie and Steve Aiken of the UUP.

    The SDLP's Colin McGrath chairs the assembly's Committee of the Executive Office.

    He says "this is fast becoming as care home pandemic" and and asks about emergency special measures for the sector.

    Mr McGrath says he thinks "it would have been useful to have provided timescales" with the proviso that those could have been changed.

    "Without timescales this could almost be seen as an aspirational document," he adds.

    NurseImage source, Getty Images

    Michelle O'Neill says the health minister has said that care homes "is where the battle currently is".

    She says they need to "throw everything but the kitchen sink" at addressing the problem in care homes and it was discussed in the executive yesterday.

    The deputy first minister says there will be an urgent expansion of testing in care homes that will commence immediately.

  20. Have your say on the executive blueprint on Talkbackpublished at 12:23 British Summer Time 12 May 2020

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