To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on how their Department is taking forward the findings of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, including the recommendations set out in the Module 2C report on core decision-making and political governance.

Publication of the Covid-19 Inquiry’s reports and recommendations represents an important milestone in learning lessons from the pandemic. The recommendations aim to strengthen governance, transparency, inclusivity, and emergency response structures.

We acknowledge there are lessons to be learned. The Cross-Departmental Steering Group established to take forward recommendations arising from the Inquiry reports continues to meet and is considering the Module 2 and 2C findings, particularly those directly relevant to here.

We are already making changes including the appointment of a Chief Scientific and Technical Adviser in June 2024 and improvements to emergency preparedness.

Our approach will include:

Careful consideration of all recommendations addressed to Northern Ireland and those with UK-wide implications.

Continued engagement with counterparts across the four nations to ensure a coordinated response and avoid unnecessary constitutional or operational issues.

Continued engagement with the NI Covid Bereaved Families for Justice and other stakeholders to ensure their experiences inform this work.

Reporting progress to the Executive and relevant Assembly Committees in due course.

We remain committed to implementing lessons learned to improve decision-making and governance for future emergencies.