Minutes of Proceedings

The Assembly met at noon, the Principal Deputy Speaker in the Chair.

1. Prayers

Members observed two minutes' silence.

2. Speaker's Business

2.1 The Principal Deputy Speaker informed the Assembly of the passing of the former deputy First Minister, Mr Séamus Mallon, and that the Business Committee had agreed as a mark of respect to suspend the sitting until 4.30pm. On resumption of the sitting Members would have an opportunity to pay their respects to Mr Mallon and to sign a book of condolence.

2.2 The Principal Deputy Speaker informed the Assembly that the business scheduled for today in the revised Order Paper would commence at 6.00pm and that the rescheduling required a formal item of business to be taken prior to suspension.

3. Assembly Business

3.1 Suspension of Standing Order 20(1)

Proposed:

That Standing Order 20(1) be suspended for 27 January 2020.

Mr Keith Buchanan
Mr John O'Dowd
Mrs Dolores Kelly
Mr Robbie Butler
Ms Kellie Armstrong
Ms Clare Bailey

The Question being put, the Motion was carried with cross-community support.

The sitting was suspended at 12.03pm.

The sitting resumed at 4.32pm, the Speaker in the Chair.

4. Assembly Business

Tributes to former deputy First Minister Séamus Mallon

The sitting was suspended at 5.28pm.

The sitting resumed at 6.10pm, the Speaker in the Chair.

5. Speaker's Business

5.1 The Speaker informed the Assembly that he had been notified by the nominating officer of the Democratic Unionist Party that Mrs Pam Cameron has replaced Mr Gary Middleton as Deputy Chairperson of the Health Committee and that he was satisfied that the requirements of Standing Orders had been met. The appointment took effect on 17 January 2020.

6. Assembly Business

6.1 Motion: Appointment to the Assembly Commission

Proposed:

That, in accordance with Standing Order 79(4), Mr John Blair be appointed to fill a vacancy on the Assembly Commission.

Ms Kellie Armstrong
Mr Andrew Muir

The Question being put, the Motion was carried with cross-community support.

6.2 Motion: Appointment to the Assembly Commission

Proposed:

That, in accordance with Standing Order 79(4), Mr Keith Buchanan be appointed to fill a vacancy on the Assembly Commission.

Mr Gary Middleton
Mr George Robinson

The Question being put, the Motion was carried with cross-community support.

6.3 Extension of Sitting on Monday 27 January 2020 under Standing Order 10(3A)

Proposed:

That, in accordance with Standing Order 10(3A), the sitting on Monday 27 January 2020 be extended to no later than 9pm.

Mr Keith Buchanan
Mr John O'Dowd
Mrs Dolores Kelly
Mr Robbie Butler
Ms Kellie Armstrong
Ms Clare Bailey

The Question being put, the Motion was carried.

7. Executive Committee Business

7.1 Statement – Public Expenditure: 2019-2020 January Monitoring Round

The Minister of Finance, Mr Conor Murphy, made a statement regarding the Public Expenditure 2019-2020 January Monitoring Round, following which he replied to questions.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

7.2 Legislative Consent Motion: Direct Payments to Farmers (Legislative Continuity) Bill

Proposed:

That this Assembly, noting the urgency of the issue resulting from the absence of legal powers needed to continue making Direct Payments to NI farmers in the 2020 scheme year, agrees that the provisions in the Direct Payments to Farmers (Legislative Continuity) Bill, as introduced into the House of Commons on 9 January 2020, should be considered by the UK Parliament.

Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the Motion was carried.

8. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 8.24pm.

Mr Alex Maskey

The Speaker

27 January 2020

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on
21 January 2020 – 27 January 2020

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 2020/15 The Transfer of Undertakings and Service Provision Change (Protection of Employment) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department for the Economy).

7. Written Ministerial Statements

Minister of Health - Response to the Emergence of Coronavirus (2019 NCoV).

Minister for Infrastructure – MOT Temporary Exemption Certificates.

8. Consultation Documents

9. Departmental Publications

Direct Payments to Farmers (Legislative Continuity) Bill, Legislative Consent Memorandum (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs).

Police Service of Northern Ireland 5 Year Service Medal (Department of Justice).

10. Agency Publications

11. Westminster Publications

12. Miscellaneous Publications