Derry Daily
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
Saturday 17°CSunday 17°C

Derry Daily Derry Daily Derry Daily

  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
CoronavirusNewsPolitics

Eastwood: Executive must start using its full powers to mitigate COVID-19 crisis

written by John April 2, 2020
ShareTweet

SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP has called on Ministers in the Executive to work together and use their full powers to mitigate the Coronavirus crisis.

The Foyle MP said that an urgent plan is needed for procuring testing kits, PPE and ventilators.

The plan also needs to set out the sites that will be used as testing hubs at scale, signalling to healthcare workers where the critical clinical sites will be and who will be staffing them and presenting a united front against this virus.

Said Mr Eastwood MP: “Political leaders across Northern Ireland are united in their determination to do whatever they can to mitigate the impact of Coronavirus.

“In all my conversations over the last few weeks, I have never doubted their sincerity or their resolve to do what has to be done to protect people.

“I am deeply worried, however, that the scale of what needs to be done has not yet been grasped by all Ministers and that time spent disagreeing on the approach to this crisis is time wasted when we need to be working in lock step to beat it.

“We have the power and the expertise to procure testing kits, PPE and ventilators.

“We can set out the sites that will be used as testing hubs over the coming weeks and we can put plans in place for central clinical sites with key healthcare workers designated to staff them now.

“These are the detailed plans that we need to see coming from our Executive, not news cycle after news cycle of tension and blame.

“No one at the Executive table is powerless. Everyone is responsible for what happens, or does not happen next.

“The SDLP is doing everything we can to enhance preparations and Minister Mallon has offered assistance for testing and support for the Department of Health.

“We won’t be found wanting.

“We need to hear the detailed plans, we need to know what happens next, when it happens and how we’re planning to manage this crisis,” added the Foyle MP.

Eastwood: Executive must start using its full powers to mitigate COVID-19 crisis was last modified: April 2nd, 2020 by John

Tags:
colum eastwoodCoronavirusCOVID-19Eastwood: Executive must start using its full powers to mitigate COVID-19 crisisExecutive MinistersFoyle MPSTORMONT EXECUTIVE
ShareTweet
John

LEAVE A COMMENT

You may also like

Drink-driver charged to court over Derry collision

2 hours ago

Boyce hat-trick sends Derry City into seventh...

11 hours ago

Dance company loses appeal over 100% annual...

12 hours ago

Unmissable music events coming to the Abbey...

1 day ago

New leaflet to help older people beat...

1 day ago

Man charged with possessing indecent images of...

1 day ago

Positive discussions with Transport Minister on NW...

1 day ago

Sadness as mother of girl (6) killed...

2 days ago

Two men in court after £1.2m cannabis...

2 days ago

‘Inaction on Foyle Bridge barriers and mental...

2 days ago

Keep in touch

Facebook Twitter Email

Features

  • Sun, sea, spectacular views, historical charm and fabulous food. Tunisia of course

    April 5, 2024
  • Magical trip to see Santa from Belfast

    December 20, 2023
  • DD Travel Feature: Cork’s amazing The Montenotte Hotel

    April 18, 2023
  • Derry cancer survivor Noeleen McMorris reveals importance of awareness

    July 25, 2022
  • Competition! Win tickets to Northern Ireland v England Women’s Euro 2022 match

    June 17, 2022

Courts

  • Drink-driver charged to court over Derry collision

    July 5, 2025
  • Derry priest faces seven more child sex charges

    July 4, 2025
  • Man charged with possessing indecent images of children

    July 4, 2025
  • Two men in court after £1.2m cannabis find near border

    July 3, 2025
  • Two charged over huge cannabis haul seized in North West

    July 3, 2025

Donegal Daily

    Read More

    • News
    • Sport
    • Courts
    • Jobs
    • Features
    • Business
    • Politics

    Information

    • Contact Us
    • About
    • Advertise WIth Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions
    Derry Daily

    © 2025 Derry Daily. All rights reserved.


    Back To Top

    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkPrivacy policy