Ulster Unionist Peer Lord Empey has repeated his call, made earlier this week, that Health powers should temporarily be returned to Westminster, on humanitarian grounds.
Speaking in the House of Lords, following Thursday’s statement from the Secretary of State, Lord Empey said:
“There are huge waiting lists leading to real risk of suffering and potentially life changing, or indeed life threatening, situations developing. Northern Ireland has the worst waiting lists in the United Kingdom; this is not a record to be proud of.
“While the Secretary of State says she will legislate next month to clarify the decision making powers civil servants, it would be unfair and unreasonable to push the responsibility for key decisions onto career civil servants.
“Health should be above and beyond the political log jam, and Karen Bradley could easily build a consensus, that on humanitarian grounds, a temporary shift of power to London is justified.
“It was done for welfare reform and recently for the budget; how much more important is it to do this for people's health?
“If no action is taken by HMG, then we will be left having to put amendments down to the legislation, and if necessary have them voted upon. I would much prefer an agreed consensual approach which would be in everybody's interests.”