Northern Ireland

Stormont leaders acknowledge differences on coronavirus fight but insist they are united on saving lives

First and Deputy First Ministers Arlene Foster and Michelle O'Neill
First and Deputy First Ministers Arlene Foster and Michelle O'Neill First and Deputy First Ministers Arlene Foster and Michelle O'Neill

STORMONT'S leaders have acknowledged they are at odds on some coronavirus issues, but insisted they are united on the main goal of saving lives - as the north's confirmed cases reached 533.

Arlene Foster and Michelle O'Neill said during their latest daily press conference that differences of opinion should be expected within a five-party coalition government.

There were 123 new cases of Covid-19 confirmed in Northern Ireland yesterday and a 22nd death.

Figures from the Public Health Agency show that Belfast has the highest number of confirmed cases at 160, with the Lisburn and Castlereagh council area home to 66 cases.

The Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon district had the third highest total at 53.

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In the Republic, eight more patients were confirmed to have died yesterday, bringing the total number of coronavirus-related deaths to 54.

Almost 300 more cases also brought the total number infected so far to 2,910.

More than 1,400 people have died across the UK.

The First Minister and Deputy First Minister responded yesterday to reports of growing tensions around the executive table over issues such as testing numbers, personal protection equipment stocks and closure of non-essential businesses.

Earlier this month, the two main executive parties, the DUP and Sinn Féin, were also divided on when schools should close.

At the leaders' daily Covid-19 press briefing at Stormont, Mrs Foster said: "We are a five-party executive, I don't think there is anybody who shies away from that fact.

"But be very clear - we know that this is a national emergency, we know that we have to step up to the plate and whatever differences we may have about emphasis, or ways of doing things, or who do we listen to, it is important that we are able to be free to have those discussions at the executive, then come forward with a common strategy and that is what we've done today."

Ms O'Neill, who said executive ministers had agreed a refreshed strategy on Monday, rejected suggestions the disagreements were linked to traditional political divisions.

"This isn't an orange and green issue," she said.

"This isn't Dublin versus London. It's not even about the DUP versus Sinn Fein, this is about me standing up for the views that I have heard from those people who work on the frontline and I will continue to do that.

"And I will also continue to work with executive colleagues."

She acknowledged there was a "diversity of views" but added: "The executive's priority is about saving lives, it's about how do we protect our people as best that we can."

New regulations enforcing social distancing include fines of up to £5,000 for those failing to follow laws to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

The regulations, which came into force on Saturday night, flow from the emergency laws passed at Westminster last week.

Mrs Foster and Ms O'Neill said the regulations would be reviewed every three weeks and fines could be potentially increased, to as high as £100,000, if they felt there was a need for tougher sanctions.