Causeway Coast and Glens DUP councillor Mervyn Storey says the Executive Office (TEO) is showing “contempt” for rural representatives by only holding consultations on the Covid Inquiry online and at Stormont.

At February’s Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council meeting, councillirs were presented with a consultation request from TEO, asking they attend one of four engagement sessions on the implementation of Module 2 of the UK Coivd-19 inquiry.

Members will be able to put forward their views at engagement sessions later this month; two online sessions via Microsoft Teams on February 16 and 19, and two in-person sessions at Castle Buildings, Stormont Estate, on February 23 and 27.

Correspondence from the Executive Office noted that written feedback was also welcome, and said members’ participation is “an important part of this process”.

Councillor Mervyn Storey said TEO are offering no provision for rural members to engage with a consultation on the Covid-19 inquiry, as consultation sessions are only taking place online or at Stormont. CREDIT PIXABAY

placeholder image — Councillor Mervyn Storey said TEO are offering no provision for rural members to engage with a consultation on the Covid-19 inquiry, as consultation sessions are only taking place online or at Stormont. CREDIT PIXABAY

In response to the request, Councillor Storey said by holding the sessions in Stormont, TEO is offering “no provision for the rural community and no provision for any other council area across Northern Ireland”.

He added: “I think it’s just a sad indictment and reflection of how the system treats us with, I think, a fair degree of contempt.

“As far as I know Covid went beyond the 35 mile an hour in Glengormley, I think it was reasonably global, but when it comes to the consultation it’s online on two occasions and then in person in Castle Buildings.

“I think it’s poor form on [TEO] to be saying ‘we want to hear your comments’ however you can either go online or you can go in person in two dates in February.”