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Stormont Executive ministers were involved in angry exchanges after the DUP moved to block a proposal to extend Northern Ireland\u2019s circuit-break lockdown for two more weeks.<\/p>\nStormont Executive ministers were involved in angry exchanges after the DUP moved to block a proposal to extend Northern Ireland\u2019s circuit-break lockdown for two more weeks.<\/p>\n
DUP Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots\u2019 call for the proposal to be decided using the cross-community voting mechanism \u2013 effectively handing his party a veto \u2013 provoked heated responses from other parties during a meeting on Tuesday night.<\/p>\n
The recommendation to extend the circuit-break measures in their entirety was tabled by Health Minister Robin Swann, who warned of another spike in cases by mid-December if the move was not taken.<\/p>\n
The DUP has been opposed to extending the full complement of restrictions beyond the original four-week period.<\/p>\n
After Mr Swann\u2019s paper was voted down, ministers turned to debating alternative proposals tabled by DUP Economy Minister Diane Dodds. Ms Dodds has recommended a partial reopening of the hospitality sector.<\/p>\n
Exchanges were ongoing on Tuesday night, with chief medical officer Dr Michael McBride and chief scientific adviser professor Ian Young outlining the implications of Ms Dodds\u2019 proposals.<\/p>\n
The meeting convened around 6pm, almost 24 hours after exchanges broke up on Monday without agreement.<\/p>\n
Ministers are at odds on whether to extend, amend or relax the current four-week circuit-break measures, which expire at midnight on Thursday.<\/p>\n
The circuit-break has forced the closure of much of the hospitality sector in Northern Ireland and halted the work of close contact services such as hairdressing.<\/p>\n
The PA news agency reports that measures in Ms Dodds\u2019 alternative paper include:<\/p>\n
A further 11 Covid-19 linked deaths were announced in Northern Ireland on Tuesday, along with 514 new confirmed cases.<\/p>\n
On Tuesday morning, First Minister Arlene Foster expressed confidence the Executive could find a consensus position.<\/p>\n
She told the Assembly there was a need to develop a \u201cclear exit strategy\u201d from lockdown measures.<\/p>\n
\u201cI do not believe that we can continually go into circuit-breakers, lockdowns, call them what you will,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou cannot keep turning on and off the economy.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you go back on one occasion there\u2019ll 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 \u2013 mental health and, as I say, the issues around poverty.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo there is a need for us to find a way forward. I hope that we can all work in collaboration to find a way forward.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sinn F\u00e9in MP Chris Hazzard said his party supported the resumption of close contact services but believed the restrictions on the hospitality sector should be extended.<\/p>\n
Mr Hazzard said it would be reckless to throw away progress in reducing infection rates.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think there is a case to be made when it comes to close contact services, you could look at relaxations,\u201d he told BBC Radio Ulster.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I think on the whole it\u2019s important we find a way forward now that sees us through to the new year and, to me, that means restrictions must stay in place for another two weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n