The South Belfast MLA stated: "While I note the First Minister and deputy First Minister have provided an update on the response to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, for which they are responsible, yet again it contains no clear actions whatsoever to reassure the public that the response to any future civil emergency will be better than it was during the pandemic.
"It is noteworthy that this is the third response signed off by the First and deputy First Minister, yet it still concerns only Module 1. Module 2 was published last year and has still received no response.
"Furthermore, if they are serious about 'learning' from the Inquiry, they have to be serious about reform of how the Executive functions. Including greater transparency around what is actually on (and not on) the Executive agenda and the removal of sectarian vetoes over key actions proposed in line with expert analysis and evidence. There is not even a hint that this has been taken on board.
"The public needs reassurance that should such an emergency strike again, our government structures will be better placed to deal with it than they were in 2020. Based on the First and deputy First Minister's vague statements so far, we can have no such reassurance."
"It is noteworthy that this is the third response signed off by the First and deputy First Minister, yet it still concerns only Module 1. Module 2 was published last year and has still received no response.
"Furthermore, if they are serious about 'learning' from the Inquiry, they have to be serious about reform of how the Executive functions. Including greater transparency around what is actually on (and not on) the Executive agenda and the removal of sectarian vetoes over key actions proposed in line with expert analysis and evidence. There is not even a hint that this has been taken on board.
"The public needs reassurance that should such an emergency strike again, our government structures will be better placed to deal with it than they were in 2020. Based on the First and deputy First Minister's vague statements so far, we can have no such reassurance."