I am deeply concerned about the consequences of today’s decision. I will remain in post, but the task of rebuilding our health service has been made all the more difficult. A 3-year budget was crucial for fixing our waiting lists and funding our mental health and cancer strategies.

I have sought urgent legal clarification regarding the decisions on Covid restrictions I had really hoped could have been made by the Executive next week. My priority is and will remain supporting our health and social care system, but patients and staff deserve better than this.

My intention has been to see a significant removal of Covid restrictions, replaced by guidance, at the earliest opportunity. I believe that time is very close. I will have more to say on this in the coming days, guided by legal advice and the latest public health assessments.