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05 Sept 2025

'We do not consent' - Thousands take to the streets to protest new Public Health Bill

The Public Health Bill consultation receives controversial reception as scars left by Covid-19 measures still run deep

'We do not consent' - Thousands take to the streets to protest new Public Health Bill

Reporter:

Edana Flynn

16 Oct 2024 1:55 PM

Thousands lined the streets Belfast City Hall to send a "strong message" to the government regarding the Public Health Bill Consultation.
The protest took place last Saturday, October 12 and was attended by Aontú Deputy Leader Gemma Brolly.
Speaking at the protest, Ms. Brolly said: "It is vital that we stand up, highlighting the extremely draconian and over-reaching proposals within this consultation and I am delighted to hear already that people-powered pressure is working as party responses are now evolving according to the requests of the people."
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Commenting on the reason for such activism on the issue, Ms. Brolly explained, "People feel very shocked and let down, this document was released for consultation on 5th July and yet it was mid September before we were alerted to it, certainly not by our political parties in government."
Speaking on the new Public Health Bill and the reception received from its consultation, Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said: "The public consultation on a proposed new public health bill was always going to be controversial. Not least as it has aggravated the scars left by both the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures adopted to combat it."
The Minister continued: "However, the next pandemic, and history says one is coming, we all hope it is a long time away, is very unlikely to mirror the COVID-19 experience. 

"New threats to public health will also emerge and I want Northern Ireland to be in the best position to respond, to deliver better outcomes for our population."

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The current Public Health Act is more than fifty five years old and unlike its counterparts in England, Scotland and Wales, the bill does not cover infection and contamination from biological, chemical and radiological sources.

The current act is only concerned with infectious diseases which means that it is out of sync with 21st century hazards and developments made to tackle said hazards as they arise amongst the public.

Ms. Brolly spoke about the serious implications she believes the Bill proposals would have for teachers and principals, charging them with reporting children who would possibly be 'infectious' and being fined if they refused to do so.
She also spoke as a parent stating "Your job in government is to govern, our job as parents is to parent! Keep your nose out of our house!"
Speaking about the proposed new Public Health Bill, the Health Minister said: "Public health interventions in relation to households, businesses and schools are only used on very rare occasions.
"But the legal options must be there, unless we are to seriously argue that individuals have the right to knowingly or unknowingly cause biological, chemical and radiological contamination or otherwise put the health and lives of others at risk."
Mr. Nesbitt also noted: "It should be remembered that under existing legislation, authorities can already seek a court order to require that someone who has an infectious disease be removed to hospital or detained there, or not participate in any trade, business or occupation."
The Health Minister emphasised that there would be significant safeguards to protect individual rights in the new bill and acknowledged that "legitimate concerns have been raised during the public consultation.
"There is always a balance to be struck between the rights of individuals and the wider rights of neighbourhoods, communities and society."

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