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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
National
Brendan Hughes

DUP MLA asks what Stormont can do to ease migraines

For many the constant drama and deadlock at Stormont is enough to give anyone a migraine.

And so it may come as no surprise the severe headaches are causing concern with some folks on the hill.

A DUP MLA has asked what is being done to ease migraines suffered by politicians and staff at Parliament Buildings.

Read more: DUP slammed for 'cherry-picking' health report to attack NI Protocol

Alan Robinson submitted a formal written question to the Assembly Commission to ask what steps have been taken to make Stormont a "migraine-friendly workspace".

He also asked the body which manages Parliament Buildings what efforts have been made to "share good practice in supporting staff and members living with migraines".

In response the commission, which is made up of representatives of the five main parties, said it endeavours to ensure the health, safety and well-being of all those working in Parliament Buildings.

It said offices have "natural light and ventilation", there is "access to drinking water throughout the building" and people are "encouraged to take breaks away from their workstation".

The commission added: "Display screen assessments are undertaken for those working in the building which assess an individual's work environment, including light, ventilation, noise and temperature.

"Assembly Commission staff and MLAs who require support or adjustments in the workplace related to a medical condition may contact the commission's human resources office to discuss their requirements.

"The human resources office issues health and well-being information to Assembly Commission employees on a regular basis.

"It is anticipated that well-being sessions will be provided to MLAs in 2023 as part of the Members Development Programme."

Stormont's power-sharing institutions have not been properly functioning since last February when the DUP withdrew its First Minister from the Executive.

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson's party has been blocking the formation of a new devolved administration since May's Assembly election in protest against Brexit's Northern Ireland Protocol.

It has insisted it will not resume power-sharing until radical changes are made to the UK-EU deal, which has angered unionists for creating new checks on trade into the region from Great Britain.

Negotiations between the UK government and the European Union to resolve differences over the protocol are continuing.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris are due to hold separate talks with the Stormont parties this week.

If a new Executive is not formed by January 19, the UK government assumes a legal responsibility to call a fresh Assembly election by April 13.

The government introduced legislation to extend the timeframe for forming an Executive beyond six months after a previous deadline of October 28 was missed.

Civil servants have assumed control of Stormont departments in the absence of ministers but they have limited decision-making powers.

The Northern Ireland secretary reduced MLA salaries by 27.5% from January 1 to reflect the fact that they are not doing their job as legislators during the ongoing impasse.

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