Green Party Deputy Leader responds to the final days of the covid inquiry

The deputy Leader of the Green Party Northern Ireland has responded to the final days of the covid inquiry which has been sitting for the past three weeks. Lesley Veronica said “Brenda Campbell KC spoke for all of us in her robust attack on the failings at Stormont in the handling of the Covid crisis here in Northern Ireland. However, I would go further and state unequivocally that those failings have continued to have dire consequences for each and every citizen as evidenced by the state of our NHS which is on its knees and is categorically worse than any other part of the UK.”

“Ms Campbell presented a candid reminder of the human impact a failure of governance brings. Following so many similar instances of government incompetence such as RHI and NAMA we see yet again that the five-party executive is not only unable to cope with crises but has a tendency to react to the investigations as if they are ‘above the rules’. We would strongly remind all parties that accountability is a key ingredient of any democracy and how public money is spent is a matter for concern for us all as is the adherence to the law.”

"For over 100 days the Assembly has been back in session and yet we have no budget, no Programme for Government and no legislative schedule, but plenty of grandstanding and uncosted motions. This doesn’t cut it, we have a crisis in the NHS, a mental health crisis and a cost of living crisis not to mention an ongoing and emerging climate emergency to deal with. We need government not debate, action not empty words and parties that can deliver on what they promise."