Questions to the Health Minister, alongside questions to the Finance Minister, are scheduled to take place on Monday. However, Sinn Fein MLAs have not attended committee meetings this week, leading to speculation the two Ministers will not take their place in the Assembly. However, Health Minister Michelle O’Neill appeared on BBC’s Nolan Show today, claiming she would continue working in her position until polling day.
“One on hand, Sinn Fein have called for an election and have removed their MLAs from committees. But on the other, Michelle O’Neill is telling the media she is committed to doing her job. Clearly the two are not compatible,” said Ms Bradshaw.
“Yesterday alone, it was revealed a plan to tackle hospital waiting list time has been shelved thanks to the political uncertainty caused by Sinn Fein and the DUP. That will only increase and take in more issues as this crisis deepens and time is spent fighting an election instead of governing, which is what they were elected to do.
“I call on the Health Minister, along with all other Sinn Fein Ministers, to do what they are paid to do and to confirm they will be in the chamber on Monday and going forward. Anyone else in any other job who decided to not show up for work would be dismissed – politicians should be the same.”