NI Emergency Powers Review
COVID-19 Inquiry · Module 2: Core Decision-Making · Issued 20 November 2025 · Addressed to: Northern Ireland Executive
Source — verbatim from the inquiry
●Inquiry recommendation
The Northern Ireland Executive and UK government (in consultation with the Irish government where necessary) should review the structures and delegated powers of government in Northern Ireland to consider: the empowerment of the First Minister and deputy First Minister jointly to direct the work of other ministers and departments during an emergency; the empowerment of the Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service in relation to the allocation of civil servants to departments or to civil contingency structures during an emergency; and how decisions that would usually be subject to ministerial approval would be taken should an emergency occur during the suspension of power-sharing arrangements.
COVID-19 Inquiry, Module 2: Core Decision-Making · 20 Nov 2025 Source PDF →
Response — verbatim from government
●Northern Ireland Executive — initial response
No formal response published by this government.
Northern Ireland Executive · 20 Nov 2025
●UK Government — follow-up
We remain steadfastly committed to supporting devolution in Northern Ireland and to learning the lessons from the Inquiry, both to protect citizens and to help prepare us for the future.
The Module 2 report has clearly shown that improvements are required of all governments, including the Northern Ireland Executive, in how they respond to future crises. While we acknowledge that power-sharing has its challenges, we are clear that all governments must work in the best interests of everyone across the UK.
The UK Government notes the findings of the Inquiry that the Northern Ireland Executive's decision-making in response to the Covid-19 emergency was not as effective as it should have been. It is vital that ahead of any future crisis, appropriate arrangements are in place.
We understand the Northern Ireland Executive is considering how to respond to any future emergency. Given the Inquiry's findings, we believe that the Northern Ireland Executive and the Northern Ireland parties themselves should consider how any necessary changes should be made.
The Assembly and Executive Review Committee is currently considering whether the institutions require any wider reform. Our hope is that all parties will engage with it in good faith and closely consider its recommendations.
The UK Government will always stand ready to discuss any proposals for changes to the Strand One institutions which could attract the widest possible support and to help with their implementation on matters which may be reserved or excepted under the Northern Ireland Act 1998.
We maintain close and ongoing relations with the Irish Government as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement and will liaise with them on any matter that may require their consultation.
UK Government · 20 Nov 2025 Written response →
●UK Government — follow-up
We remain steadfastly committed to supporting devolution in Northern Ireland and to learning the lessons from the Inquiry, both to protect citizens and to help prepare us for the future.
The Module 2 report has clearly shown that improvements are required of all governments, including the Northern Ireland Executive, in how they respond to future crises. While we acknowledge that power-sharing has its challenges, we are clear that all governments must work in the best interests of everyone across the UK.
The UK Government notes the findings of the Inquiry that the Northern Ireland Executive's decision-making in response to the Covid-19 emergency was not as effective as it should have been. It is vital that ahead of any future crisis, appropriate arrangements are in place.
We understand the Northern Ireland Executive is considering how to respond to any future emergency. Given the Inquiry's findings, we believe that the Northern Ireland Executive and the Northern Ireland parties themselves should consider how any necessary changes should be made.
The Assembly and Executive Review Committee is currently considering whether the institutions require any wider reform. Our hope is that all parties will engage with it in good faith and closely consider its recommendations.
The UK Government will always stand ready to discuss any proposals for changes to the Strand One institutions which could attract the widest possible support and to help with their implementation on matters which may be reserved or excepted under the Northern Ireland Act 1998.
We maintain close and ongoing relations with the Irish Government as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement and will liaise with them on any matter that may require their consultation.
UK Government · 25 Mar 2026 Written response →
Evidence trail — what's actually happened since
- 20 Nov 2025 Status: Pending. No government response yet received. Module 2 report published 20 November 2025. Source →
Each entry above links to a primary source — gov.uk written statement, consultation response document, or inspection report. The Index does not characterise government intent; it tracks what has been published.
How this page is built
Source and Response are verbatim from primary documents. The Evidence trail records published activity since — written statements, consultation outcomes, inspection findings, parliamentary references. The Index does not paraphrase or characterise intent; it tracks what has been published. Where the evidence is the absence of action (a missed deadline, a slipped timetable), that absence is documented from primary sources rather than inferred.
This recommendation's data is verified periodically against primary sources. The Index is monitored for staleness weekly.