Time to reflect after a difficult few days

AFTER their last meeting on Thursday ahead of the Easter break, some may have expected Stormont ministers to hold their usual Covid press conference.

It would have been an opportunity to provide an update on restrictions and reiterate the public health message over the holiday period, when many people may be tempted to break the rules.

But no press conference was held. No Executive ministers were on hand to answer questions about the pandemic.

Instead, details of changes to restrictions from April 12 were confirmed in a brief late-night press release.

This is a practical example of the impact of the deepening political fall-out over the Bobby Storey funeral controversy.

It came as a depressing end to a difficult week of heightened tensions over such an emotive subject. The dual effect of the PPS reviewing its decision and Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary being asked to examine the PSNI’S handling of the funeral allows tensions to ease.

Chief Constable Simon Byrne’s job is safe for now but he is staking his future on the outcome of the

HMIC review.

The Easter weekend and Assembly recess give MLAS an opportunity to reflect.

Reflect on this time of year, the anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement peace deal.

Reflect on the importance of confidence in policing, 10 years on from the murder of

Constable Ronan Kerr.

A welcome sign came last night when the First and Deputy First Ministers issued a joint Easter statement of “hope and reflection”.

When Stormont returns on April 12, there will be some positivity from further relaxations of Covid restrictions. This will likely focus minds on the wider picture, the bigger challenge of coronavirus, and the continuing struggle ahead.

Simon Byrne is staking his future on the HMIC review