Alex Maskey says:
“I have received advice from my Health Trust to advise that, due to my cardiac history, I am in the group of those who should stay at home and avoid face to face contact for least twelve weeks. I have therefore written to all Members today to inform them that I will therefore be working from home in the time ahead.
“This does not prevent me from conducting the majority of my responsibilities as Speaker – many people have had to quickly adapt to the practice of conducting most business at home. However, plenary sittings and sessions of the Ad Hoc Committee cannot be chaired remotely and these meetings will be in good hands with the Deputy Speakers taking the chair in rotation in the usual way. There are also deputising arrangements for the Business Committee and the Assembly Commission but I will be exploring ways to participate in these meetings remotely.
“Apart from that, I intend to conduct as much as possible of the work that goes on behind the scenes and to take all of the decisions that I am normally required to take outside of the Chamber.
“When health workers and all those in the public services are demonstrating tremendous commitment and courage, all in the common cause of saving lives, it is incumbent on all of us to do what we can to protect our own health, reduce the risk of infection to others and thereby reduce the burden to our health service.”
In a letter to MLAs, he admits to being torn between his duty and this advice:
“While I admit to feeling conflicted about doing this while fulfilling my duties as Speaker, I have concluded that it is important to follow the guidance provided by those who, under the wider authority of the Executive and the Assembly, are tasked with giving such advice to our community.”
The new Ad Hoc Committee (which includes all members of the NI Assembly) set up to respond to COVID-19 meets today in the Assembly Chamber from 2.30pm, chaired by Christopher Stalford. The First and deputy First Ministers will deliver a statement, followed by a statement from the Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.
Alan Meban. Tweets as @alaninbelfast. Blogs about cinema and theatre over at Alan in Belfast. A freelancer who writes about, reports from, live-tweets and live-streams civic, academic and political events and conferences. He delivers social media training/coaching; produces podcasts and radio programmes; is a FactCheckNI director; a member of Ofcom’s Advisory Committee for Northern Ireland; and a member of the Corrymeela Community.
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