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Key Northern Ireland emergency documents years out of date before pandemic

Lack of ministers hampered Covid response, says Denis McMahon, and crucial policies barely mentioned risk of pandemic

By Ruby Lott-Lavigna
Key Northern Ireland emergency documents years out of date before pandemic
A lack of government at Stormont was a problem in pandemic planning, the inquiry was told | Charles McQuillan / Getty Images
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Key emergency documents in Northern Ireland were years out of date before Covid, with many failing even to mention a pandemic risk, the Covid-19 inquiry has heard.

Denis McMahon, permanent secretary for the Northern Irish executive, confirmed on Thursday that many documents and risk assessments had not been updated adequately before the pandemic.

The majority had not been updated since 2016. Some dated back to January 2010, with one to March 2002.

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