SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath has said that the DUP need to do the right thing for people in the North and support the nomination of an Assembly Speaker.

Mr McGrath slammed disgraceful comments from the DUP’s Ian Paisley on proposals for the Assembly to return to allow the passage of Dáithí’s Law.

He said the SDLP would back the recall of the Assembly to pass the legislation, but said a solution must be found for the full restoration of the Assembly and Executive.

South Down MLA Mr McGrath said:

“The decision taken by the DUP to collapse the Executive and Assembly and hold people in the North to ransom has never been justified. Since the collapse of the institutions the cost of living emergency has deepened, the crisis in our health service has got much worse and countless important initiatives have fallen by the wayside. In that time period we have seen serious harm caused to the faith in politics here.

“Stormont is far from perfect, but it could have made a significant difference with strategic interventions to help people during the current crises we face. The DUP have again been afforded the opportunity to make a positive difference by supporting the nomination of a Speaker to progress Dáithí’s Law, a piece of legislation that would bring hope to people across the North in need of an organ transplant.

“This is a life and death issue that has been highlighted by the MacGabhann family and won support from all walks of life and in that context I find the comments from the DUP’s Ian Paisley absolutely appalling. We have been clear that we support a positive solution to the current impasse, but the DUP needs to think seriously about how far it is willing to take the politics of protest and division, and at what cost.”