Minutes of Proceedings
Session: Session currently unavailable
Date: 21 September 2021
The Assembly met at 10.30am, the Principal Deputy Speaker in the Chair.
1. Prayers
Members observed two minutes' silence.
2. Speaker's Business
Committee Chairperson Resignation and Appointment
The Speaker informed Members that, with effect from 21 September, Ms Sinéad Ennis had resigned as the Chairperson of the Committee on Standards and Privileges. The Speaker also informed Members that he had received notification from the nominating officer for Sinn Féin that Ms Linda Dillon had been nominated to fill the vacancy of Chairperson of the Committee on Standards and Privileges, also with effect from 21 September.
3. Members' Statements
Under Standing Order 24A, the following Members made a statement to the Assembly;
Mr Paul Frew
Ms Jemma Dolan
Mr Pat Catney
Mr Stewart Dickson
Mr Declan McAleer
Ms Paula Bradshaw
Mr Jim Allister
Mr Mervyn Storey
Mr Daniel McCrossan
Mr Gerry Carroll
Mrs Dolores Kelly
Mr Maolíosa McHugh
Mr Chris Lyttle
Mr Alex Easton
4. Private Members' Business
4.1 Second Stage: Autism (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 31/17-22)
Mrs Pam Cameron moved the Second Stage of the Autism (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 31/17-22).
Debate ensued.
The Deputy Speaker, Mr Beggs, took the Chair
The sitting was suspended at 1.01pm.
The sitting resumed at 2.00pm, with the Speaker in the Chair.
5. Question Time
5.1 Education
Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Education, Miss Michelle McIlveen.
The Deputy Speaker, Mr Beggs, took the Chair.
6. Private Members' Business (cont'd)
6.1 Second Stage: Autism (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 31/17-22) (cont'd)
Debate resumed.
The Autism (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 31/17-22) passed Second Stage.
The Speaker took the Chair
6.2 Second Stage: Political Appointments Bill (NIA Bill 34/17-22)
Mr Jim Allister moved the Second Stage of the Political Appointments Bill (NIA Bill 34/17-22).
Debate ensued.
The Deputy Speaker, Mr McGlone, took the Chair.
The Speaker took the Chair.
The Deputy Speaker, Mr McGlone, took the Chair.
The Political Appointments Bill (NIA Bill 34/17-22) fell at Second Stage (Division).
7. Adjournment
Proposed:
That the Assembly do now adjourn.
The Speaker
The Assembly adjourned at 6.29pm.
Mr Alex Maskey
The Speaker
21 September 2021
Northern Ireland Assembly
21 September 2021 - Division
Second Stage: Political Appointments Bill (NIA Bill 34/17-22)
The Question was put and the Assembly divided.
Ayes: 40
Noes: 48
AYES
Dr Aiken, Mr Allen, Mr Allister, Mrs Barton, Mr Beattie, Mr Beggs, Mr M Bradley, Ms P Bradley, Mr K Buchanan, Mr T Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Ms Bunting, Mr Butler, Mrs Cameron, Mr Chambers, Mr Clarke, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Mr Easton, Mrs Foster, Mr Frew, Mr Givan, Mr Harvey, Mr Hilditch, Mr Humphrey, Mr Irwin, Mr Lyons, Miss McIlveen, Mr Middleton, Mr Nesbitt, Mr Newton, Mr Poots, Mr Robinson, Mr Stalford, Mr Stewart, Mr Storey, Ms Sugden, Mr Swann, Mr Weir, Mr Wells.
Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Stalford, Mr Wells.
NOES
Dr Archibald, Ms Armstrong, Ms Bailey, Mr Blair, Mr Boylan, Ms S Bradley, Ms Bradshaw, Ms Brogan, Mr Carroll, Mr Catney, Mr Delargy, Mr Dickson, Ms Dillon, Ms Dolan, Mr Durkan, Ms Ennis, Ms Ferguson, Ms Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Ms Hargey, Ms Hunter, Mr Kearney, Mrs D Kelly, Mr G Kelly, Ms Kimmins, Mrs Long, Mr Lunn, Mr Lyttle, Mr McAleer, Mr McCann, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGrath, Mr McGuigan, Mr McHugh, Ms McLaughlin, Mr McNulty, Ms Mallon, Mr Muir, Ms Á Murphy, Mr C Murphy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mr O'Dowd, Mrs O'Neill, Mr O'Toole, Ms Rogan, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin, Miss Woods.
Tellers for the Noes: Dr Archibald, Ms Dillon.
The Political Appointments Bill (NIA Bill 34/17-22) fell at Second Stage.
The following Members' votes were cast by their notified proxy in this division:
Mr Dickson voted for Ms Armstrong, Mr Blair, Ms Bradshaw, Mrs Long, Mr Lyttle and Mr Muir.
Ms Bunting voted for Mr M Bradley, Ms P Bradley, Mr K Buchanan, Mr T Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Mrs Cameron, Mr Clarke, Mr Dunne, Mr Easton, Mr Frew, Mr Givan, Mr Harvey, Mr Hilditch, Mr Humphrey, Mr Irwin, My Lyons, Miss McIlveen, Mr Middleton, Mr Newton, Mr Poots, Mr Robinson, Mr Stalford [Teller,Ayes], Mr Storey and Mr Weir.
Mrs Dodds voted for Mrs Foster.
Mr Butler voted for Mr Aiken, Mr Allen, Mrs Barton, Mr Beattie, Mr Beggs, Mr Chambers, Mr Nesbitt, Mr Stewart and Mr Swann.
Mr O'Dowd voted for Dr Archibald [Teller, Noes], Mr Boylan, Ms Brogan, Mr Delargy, Ms Dillon [Teller, Noes], Ms Dolan, Ms Ennis, Ms Ferguson, Ms Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Ms Hargey, Mr Kearney, Mr G Kelly, Ms Kimmins, Mr McAleer, Mr McCann, Mr McGuigan, Mr McHugh, Ms A Murphy, Mr C Murphy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mrs O'Neill, Ms Rogan, Mr Sheehan and Ms Sheerin.
Mr O'Toole voted for Ms S Bradley, Mr Catney, Mr Durkan, Ms Hunter, Mrs D Kelly, Ms Mallon, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGrath, Ms McLaughlin and Mr McNulty.
Northern Ireland Assembly
Papers Presented to the Assembly on 21 September 2021
1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly
2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly
3. Orders in Council
4. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly
5. Assembly Reports
6. Statutory Rules
SR 2021/258 The Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 (Coronavirus) (Amendment of Relevant Period in Schedule 8) (No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department for the Economy)
SR 2021/259 The Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 (Coronavirus) (Amendment of Schedule 11) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department for the Economy)
SR 2021/260 The Education (Student Fees (Amounts), Loan Repayment and Support etc.) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department for the Economy)
SR 2021/261 The Pensions Regulator (Employer Resources Test) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department for Communities)
SR 2021/262 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel, Operator Liability and Information to Passengers) (Amendment No. 6) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department of Health)
7. Written Ministerial Statements
8. Consultation Documents
9. Departmental Publications
10. Agency Publications
11. Westminster Publications
12. Miscellaneous Publications
Northern Ireland Assembly Legislation:
Stages in Consideration of Public Bills
First Stage: Introduction of Bill.
Second Stage: General debate of the Bill with an opportunity for Members to vote on its general principles.
Committee Stage (Comm. Stage): Detailed investigation by a Committee which concludes with the publication of a report for consideration by the Assembly.
Consideration Stage (CS): Consideration by the Assembly of, and an opportunity for Members to vote on, the details of the Bill including amendments proposed to the Bill.
Further Consideration Stage (FCS): Consideration by the Assembly of, and an opportunity for Members to vote on, further amendments to the Bill.
Final Stage: Passing or rejecting of Bill by the Assembly, without further amendment.
Royal Assent.
Proceedings as 21 September 2021
2017-2022 Mandate
Executive Bills
Title & |
First |
Second Stage |
Comm. Stage to Conclude |
Report Ordered to be Printed |
CS |
FCS |
Final Stage |
Royal Assent |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Budget Bill (NIA Bill 02/17-22) |
24/02/20 |
25/02/20 |
/ |
/ |
02/03/20 |
03/03/20 |
09/03/20 |
26/03/20 |
Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Bill (NIA Bill 03/17-22) |
31/03/20 |
28/04/20 |
15/10/20 |
15/10/20 |
17/11/20 |
15/12/20 |
18/01/21 |
01/03/21 |
Private Tenancies (Coronavirus Modifications) Bill (NIA Bill 04/17-22) |
21/04/20 |
21/04/20 |
/ |
/ |
28/04/20 |
/ |
28/04/20 |
04/05/20 |
Budget (No. 2) Bill (NIA Bill 05/17-22) |
26/05/20 |
26/05/20 |
/ |
/ |
01/06/20 |
02/06/20 |
02/06/20 |
17/06/20 |
Housing Amendment Bill (NIA Bill 06/17-22) |
26/05/20 |
01/06/20 |
/ |
/ |
16/06/20 |
23/06/20 |
30/06/20 |
28/08/20 |
Pension Schemes Bill (NIA Bill 07/17-22) |
23/06/20 |
07/07/20 |
29/01/21 |
19/11/20 |
04/05/21 |
17/05/21 |
01/06/21 |
09/08/21 |
Executive Committee (Functions) Bill (NIA Bill 08/17-22) |
06/07/20 |
06/07/20 |
/ |
/ |
21/07/20 |
27/07/20 |
28/07/20 |
25/08/20 |
Budget (No. 3) Bill (NIA Bill 09/17-22) |
19/10/20 |
20/10/20 |
/ |
/ |
02/11/20 |
09/11/20 |
10/11/20 |
25/11/20 |
The Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 10/17-22) |
19/10/20 |
03/11/20 |
15/05/21 |
13/05/21 |
08/06/21 |
21/06/21 |
29/06/21 |
26/08/21 |
The Criminal Justice (Committal Reform) Bill (NIA Bill 11/17-22) |
03/11/20 |
16/11/20 |
11/06/21 |
|
|
|
|
|
The Harbours (Grants and Loans Limit) Bill (NIA Bill 12/17-22) |
23/11/20 |
01/12/20 |
/ |
/ |
14/12/20 |
19/01/21 |
25/01/21 |
01/03/21 |
Protection from Stalking Bill (NIA Bill 14/17-22) |
18/01/20 |
08/02/21 |
10/12/21 |
|
|
|
|
|
The Damages (Return on Investment) Bill (NIA Bill 16/17-22) |
01/03/21 |
09/03/21 |
28/10/21 |
|
|
|
|
|
Budget Bill (NIA Bill 17/17-22) |
01/03/21 |
02/03/21 |
/ |
/ |
08/03/21 |
09/03/21 |
09/03/21 |
23/03/21 |
Health and Social Care Bill (NIA Bill 18/17/22) |
|
16/03/21 |
01/10/21 |
|
|
|
|
|
Horse Racing (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 20/17-22) |
13/04/21 |
26/04/21 |
28/01/22 |
|
|
|
|
|
The Financial Reporting (Departments and Public Bodies) Bill (NIA Bill 21/17-22) |
01/06/21 |
14/06/21 |
17/12/21 |
|
|
|
|
|
The Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Bill (NIA Bill 22/17-22) |
01/06/21 |
14/06/21 |
15/11/21 |
|
|
|
|
|
Budget (No.2) Bill (NIA Bill 24/17-22) |
07/06/21 |
08/06/21 |
/ |
/ |
14/06/21 |
21/06/21 |
22/06/21 |
04/08/21 |
Local Government (Meetings and Performance) Bill (NIA Bill 26/17-22) |
14/06/21 |
22/06/21 |
/ |
/ |
28/06/21 |
05/07/21 |
06/07/21 |
26/08/21 |
Charities Bill (NIA Bill 27/17-22) |
21/06/21 |
29/06/21 |
10/12/21 |
|
|
|
|
|
Climate Change (No. 2) Bill (NIA Bill 28/17-22) |
05/07/21 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Justice (Sexual Offences and Trafficking Victims) Bill (NIA Bill 29/17-22) |
05/07/21 |
13/09/21 |
01/11/21 |
|
|
|
|
|
Organ and Tissue (Deemed Consent) Bill (NIA Bill 30/17-22) |
05/07/21 |
20/09/21 |
08/11/21 |
|
|
|
|
|
Private Tenancies Bill (NIA Bill 32/17-22) |
06/07/21 |
13/09/21 |
01/11/21 |
|
|
|
|
|
Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 36/17-22) |
14/09/21 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adoption and Children Bill (NIA Bill 37/17-22) |
20/09/21 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2017-2022 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills
Title & |
First |
Second Stage |
Comm. Stage to Conclude |
Report Ordered to be Printed |
CS |
FCS |
Final Stage |
Royal Assent |
Functioning of Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill (NIA Bill 01/17-22) |
03/02/20 |
16/03/20 |
02/12/20 |
11/11/20 |
24/11/20 |
19/01/21 |
02/02/20 |
22/03/21 |
Assembly Members (Remuneration Board) Bill (NIA Bill 13/17-22) |
14/12/20 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Severe Fetal Impairment Abortion (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 15/17-22) |
16/02/21 |
15/03/21 |
19/11/21 |
|
|
|
|
|
Climate Change Bill (NIA Bill 19/17-22) |
22/03/21 |
10/05/21 |
17/12/21 |
|
|
|
|
|
The Integrated Education Bill (NIA Bill 23/17-22) |
01/06/21 |
06/07/21 |
12/10/21 |
|
|
|
|
|
Defamation Bill (NIA Bill 25/17-22) |
07/06/21 |
14/09/21 |
02/11/21 |
|
|
|
|
|
Autism (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 31/17-22) |
05/07/21 |
21/09/21 |
09/11/21 |
|
|
|
|
|
Small Scale Green Energy Bill (NIA Bill 33/17-22) |
06/07/21 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Political Appointments Bill (NIA Bill 34/17-22) |
06/07/21 |
Bill fell at Second Stage on 21/09/21 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Bill (NIA Bill 35/17-22) |
13/09/21 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/ Bills progressing by accelerated passage
PROXY VOTING NOTICES – TUESDAY 21 SEPTEMBER 2021
The following Members notified the Speaker, under Standing Order 112, that they wished to avail of proxy voting arrangements for the sitting on Tuesday 21 September 2021:
Steve Aiken |
Cara Hunter |
Andy Allen |
William Irwin |
Caoimhe Archibald |
Declan Kearney |
Kellie Armstrong |
Dolores Kelly |
Rosemary Barton |
Gerry Kelly |
Doug Beattie |
Liz Kimmins |
Roy Beggs |
Naomi Long |
John Blair |
Gordon Lyons |
Cathal Boylan |
Chris Lyttle |
Maurice Bradley |
Nichola Mallon |
Paula Bradley |
Declan McAleer |
Sinead Bradley |
Fra McCann |
Paula Bradshaw |
Daniel McCrossan |
Nicola Brogan |
Patsy McGlone |
Keith Buchanan |
Colin McGrath |
Thomas Buchanan |
Philip McGuigan |
Jonathan Buckley |
Maolíosa McHugh |
Pam Cameron |
Michelle McIlveen |
Pat Catney |
Sinead McLaughlin |
Alan Chambers |
Justin McNulty |
Trevor Clarke |
Gary Middleton |
Pádraig Delargy |
Andrew Muir |
Linda Dillon |
Áine Murphy |
Jemma Dolan |
Conor Murphy |
Stephen Dunne |
Mike Nesbitt |
Mark Durkan |
Robin Newton |
Alex Easton |
Carál Ní Chuilín |
Sinead Ennis |
Michelle O’Neill |
Ciara Ferguson |
Edwin Poots |
Órlaithí Flynn |
George Robinson |
Arlene Foster |
Emma Rogan |
Paul Frew |
Pat Sheehan |
Colm Gildernew |
Emma Sheerin |
Paul Givan |
Christopher Stalford |
Deirdre Hargey |
John Stewart |
Harry Harvey |
Mervyn Storey |
David Hilditch |
Robin Swann |
William Humphrey |
Peter Weir |