SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath has said that politics in the North needs to start delivering for communities here.

He was speaking ahead of the Assembly recall on Tuesday to try and progress Dáithí’s Law.

The DUP have indicated they will again block the nomination of an Assembly Speaker.

South Down MLA Mr McGrath said:

“Tomorrow’s Assembly recall is an opportunity for MLAs to come together and deliver something that would make a real difference to the lives of many people across the North. Ever year people on a waiting list for an organ donation pass away and this legislation – Dáithí’s Law, would bring renewed hope to those whose lives are literally hanging in the balance.

“There isn’t much love for Stormont at the minute and the public have been badly let down by the failure to establish stable politics that improves the lives of the people we represent. However, we have seen in the past the potential that exists if we can only put our differences aside and focus on what matters. In the final weeks of the last Assembly mandate we saw what was possible, we passed important legislation, including the SDLP’s period products Bill, and that’s the spirit we need if we’re going to rebuild people’s faith and trust in politics here.

“The DUP’s approach to the recall should surprise nobody. From emergency cost of living support to our crumbling health service and now this life-saving legislation they have resisted every plea to put their concerns to one side to tackle the problems impacting people in their everyday lives. The SDLP will be at Stormont tomorrow giving our full support to Dáithí’s Law and expressing our solidarity with the MacGabhann family, but we will also be warning the DUP that if they continue to put their selfish identity politics above the needs of people across the North then inevitably people will begin to consider change to attain a better future for themselves and their families.”