Committee for Health
Minutes of Proceedings - Tuesday 8 March 2022
Committee for Health - Minutes 08 March 2022.pdf (63.45 kb)
Committee for Health
Minutes of Proceedings
Tuesday, 8 March 2022
Meeting Location: Virtual meeting
Present by Video or Teleconference:
Colm Gildernew MLA (Chairperson)
Pam Cameron MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Gerry Carroll MLA
Deborah Erskine MLA
Órlaithí Flynn MLA
Carál Ní Chuilín MLA
In Attendance by Video or Teleconference:
Keith McBride (Clerk)
Roisin Donnelly (Assistant Clerk)
Deirdre Farry (Assistant Clerk)
Jonathan Lamont (Clerical Supervisor)
The meeting commenced at 12.50 pm in public session.
1. Apologies
Paula Bradshaw MLA.
2. SR 2022/43 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel, Operator Liability and Information to Passengers) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022
The following officials from the Department of Health joined the meeting by video-conference at 12.50 pm:
- Carol Picton-Lynas, Head of COVID-19 International Travel Regulations Directorate; and
- Carole Doherty Deputy Head of COVID-19 International Travel Regulations Directorate.
The officials briefed the Committee on two statutory rules relating to international travel restrictions (agenda items 2 and 3).
A question and answer session followed.
The officials agreed to provide the Committee with further information on plans to extend the powers within the Coronavirus Act 2020.
The Chairperson thanked the officials for their attendance.
The briefing session was reported by Hansard.
The Committee considered SR 2022/43 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel, Operator Liability and Information to Passengers) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 which makes amendments relating to: the completion of Passenger Locator Forms; testing and self-isolation requirements; vaccine recognition; and the rules for the operators of transport services.
Agreed: The Committee considered SR 2022/43 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel, Operator Liability and Information to Passengers) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 and had no objection to the Rule.
3. SR 2022/46 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel, Operator Liability and Information to Passengers) (Amendment No. 3) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022
The Committee considered SR 2022/46 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel, Operator Liability and Information to Passengers) (Amendment No. 3) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 which: simplify the exemption regime for arrivals; corrects an error in an earlier commencement provision; and makes minor updates including typographical and cross-referencing errors.
Agreed: The Committee considered SR 2022/46 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel, Operator Liability and Information to Passengers) (Amendment No. 3) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 and had no objection to the Rule.
4. SR 2022/47 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions, Wearing of Face Coverings) (Revocation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022
The following Department of Health officials joined the meeting by video-conference at 1.08 pm:
- Niall Donnelly, Health Protection Branch; and
- Siobhan Kelly; Health Protection Branch.
The officials briefed the Committee on SR 2022/47 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions, Wearing of Face Coverings) (Revocation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 which revokes all remaining coronavirus restriction measures.
A question and answer session followed.
The officials agreed to provide the Committee with further information on an issue raised.
The Chairperson thanked the officials for their attendance.
The briefing session was reported by Hansard.
The Committee considered SR 2022/47 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions, Wearing of Face Coverings) (Revocation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 which: revokes the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 and the Health Protection (Wearing of Face Coverings) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020.
Agreed: The Committee considered SR 2022/47 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions, Wearing of Face Coverings) (Revocation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 and recommended that it be approved by the Assembly.
5. Date, Time and Place of the next meeting
The next meeting of the Committee for Health was scheduled to take place at 9.30 am on Thursday, 10 March 2022.
The meeting was adjourned at 1.17 pm.
Colm Gildernew MLA,
Chairperson, Committee for Health
