Members of the Covid Bereaved Families for Justice NI group criticised First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly for failing to meet with them prior to formulating and publishing the Executive’s formal response to the first phase of the UK-wide inquiry into the pandemic.
Ms Ferguson said the group was “very, very surprised” by the timing of the meeting invite, just before the group was due to go public with its criticism of the Executive’s response.
Solicitor Enda McGarrity from PA Duffy & Co Solicitors, which represents the bereaved families’ group, noted that there would be nine further module responses developed by the Executive as the inquiry progresses.
Brenda Doherty, whose mother Ruth died in the pandemic, said Monday’s meeting must not be a “token” gesture.
I mean, a lot of work from a group of people with lived experience could have helped the Executive in the last several months.”.
