Covid-19: UK and Ireland response 'must be aligned'

Arlene Foster and Michelle O'Neill were among political leaders taking part

The UK and Ireland need to be closely aligned in their approach to dealing with Covid-19, Northern Ireland's deputy first minister has said.

Michelle O'Neill was speaking after taking part in a virtual meeting of the British-Irish Council.

Economic recovery from Covid-19 was the focus of the virtual meeting of the council on Friday.

NI's first and deputy first ministers were among political leaders taking part.

First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon, Welsh First Minster Mark Drakeford and Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Micheál Martin also attended, as did Cabinet Minister Michael Gove.

Speaking to journalists afterwards, Ms O'Neill said: "The virus doesn't stop because it's moving from one jurisdiction to another, it moves very freely across this island.

"And I think the issue of travel is crucially important as we move forward."

She said the different approaches "across the islands" were "really unhelpful".

Taoiseach (Irish PM) Micheál Martin is to meet with Northern Ireland's leaders

NI First Minister Arlene Foster said the executive's approach to Covid-19 restrictions must be measured.

"We do need to have economic recovery alongside protecting our people and protecting the National Health Service," she said.

"Therefore, we will be taking a balanced and proportionate view, when the executive next comes together as to how we deal with all of these matters.

"And I think we owe that to the people of Northern Ireland, and the recognition that there have been huge restrictions on people's lives for understandable reasons."

The taoiseach is to have discussions with the first and deputy first minsters about the pandemic.

Mr Martin said discussions would continue between politicians in Belfast and Dublin and between the respective medical officers on both sides of the border.

The council meeting was the first time the body has met virtually, after the 34th summit was postponed in June due to the pandemic.

Leaders from the Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey also took part, with all administrations providing an update on the latest political developments.

Friday's meeting was hosted by Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon

The council last met in full in November 2019, when political efforts were focused on Brexit and restoring devolution in Northern Ireland.

It is thought ministers will also discuss the co-ordination across the UK on coronavirus, ahead of the Christmas break.

What is the British-Irish Council?

It was set up under the Good Friday Agreement, which signalled an end to 30 years of violence in Northern Ireland, as part of efforts to boost and strengthen east-west relations.

It was last held in Northern Ireland in 2013, when representatives met in Londonderry to mark its year as UK city of culture.

Its sister organisation is the North-South Ministerial Council, made up of ministers from the Northern Ireland Executive and ministers from the Irish government.

It began meeting again earlier this year, when the power-sharing institutions at Stormont were restored after a three-year impasse.