THE Stormont executive are today set to consider whether to reopen cemeteries.
Graveyards were closed last month as part of coronavirus lockdown restrictions, but there have been mounting calls to reopen them.
Bereaved relatives have told of their anguish at being prevented from visiting the graves of loved ones during the pandemic.
The issue has divided the parties in Stormont's power-sharing executive.
The DUP and UUP support reopening on a controlled basis, while Sinn Féin and Alliance remain opposed. The SDLP has asked for advice from health officials.
If ministers agree to reopen cemeteries, it is expected they may consider issuing guidance to help ensure social distancing is observed by those visiting graves.
Health minister and UUP MLA Robin Swann yesterday told a Stormont scrutiny committee that he "doesn't see any reason why" they should be closed, but he insisted it was not his decision to make.
He said executive ministers will be discussing the matter today, with expert advice from chief medical officer Dr Michael McBride and chief scientific adviser Prof Ian Young.
Mr Swann told the health committee: "They could be managed with appropriate measures and supports put in place, because in terms of the mental support that we need to give individuals, there are a number of people in our community who get that reassurance, that mental support and strength, by going to a graveyard and visiting a grave.
"Again it's about the balances that we put in to make sure support mechanisms and restrictions and regulations we put in don't have an adverse effect.
"The chief medical officer and the chief scientific adviser are providing an input into a number of questions to the executive tomorrow and at that point the executive will make the decision because, although the regulations that are in place are in the name of health, I brought them forward on behalf of the executive.
"The decision will lie with the executive either to ease those or strengthen those."
Meanwhile, the north's livestock marts are to begin reopening a month after they were shut because of the pandemic.
Some marts will start sales next week, although with restrictions in place.
There are around 20 marts in Northern Ireland. They voluntarily closed last month following concerns about farmers not following social distancing guidelines.
The restrictions led to problems for farm businesses in maintaining cash flows.
It is expected the marts will resume business on a phased basis.
Stormont's agriculture department welcomed the development, saying it has been reassured that "robust operational protocols" have been developed.
The number of buyers allowed to attend will be limited and the sale rings have been marked out to comply with social distancing.
It is also expected that sellers will book animals in and drop them off without attending the sale, but instead will be able to view the sale online.
