Minutes of Proceedings

The Assembly met at 10.30am, the Deputy Speaker, Mr Beggs, in the Chair.

1. Prayers

Members observed two minutes' silence.

2. Speaker's Business

Constituency Vacancy

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Beggs, advised that the Speaker had notified the Chief Electoral Officer, in accordance with the Northern Ireland Act 1998, that a vacancy exists in the East Londonderry constituency, following the death of Mr John Dallat.

3. Assembly Business

3.1 Committee Membership

Proposed:

That Mr Matthew O'Toole be appointed as a member of the Public Accounts Committee.

Mrs Dolores Kelly
Mr Colin McGrath

The Question being put, the Motion was carried.

4. Executive Committee Business

4.1 Statement – COVID-19 Response

The Minister for Communities, Ms Deirdre Hargey, made a statement regarding the response to COVID-19, following which she replied to questions.

4.2 Statement – COVID-19: Update on the Financial Position

The Minister of Finance, Mr Conor Murphy, made a statement regarding COVID-19: Update on the Financial Position, following which he replied to questions.

4.3 Motion: The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020

Proposed:

That the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 be approved.

The Executive Office

Debate ensued.

The sitting was suspended at 1.02pm.

The sitting resumed at 2.00pm, with the Deputy Speaker, Mr Beggs, in the Chair.

Debate resumed.

The Question being put, the Motion was carried.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

4.4 Motion: The Direct Payments to Farmers (Crop Diversification Derogation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020

Proposed:

That the Direct Payments to Farmers (Crop Diversification Derogation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 be approved.

Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the Motion was carried.

4.5 Legislative Consent Motion: Private International Law (Implementation of Agreements) Bill

Proposed:

That this Assembly endorses the principle of the extension of the provisions of the Private International Law (Implementation of Agreements) Bill to Northern Ireland.

Minister of Justice

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the Motion was carried.

5. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 5.10pm.

Mr Alex Maskey
The Speaker
19 May 2020

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 13 May 2020 – 19 May 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

Agricultural Wages Order (Amendment) 2020 (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)

Legislative Consent Memorandum for the Birmingham Commonwealth Games Bill (Department of Justice)

5. Assembly Reports

Committee for Justice Report on the Legislative Consent Motion – Sentencing (Pre-Consolidation Amendments) Bill (NIA 21/17-22) (Committee for Justice)

Report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules to the Assembly and the Appropriate Committees Tenth Report of Session 2019 – 2020 (Examiner of Statutory Rules)

6. Statutory Rules

SR 2020/80 The Food Information (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department of Health)

SR 2020/81 The Direct Payments to Farmers Single Application Amendment Date (Amendment) (Coronavirus) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)

SR 2020/82 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department of Health)

7. Written Ministerial Statements

2nd Rural Needs Annual Monitoring Report (Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)

8. Consultation Documents

9. Departmental Publications

Coronavirus Act 2020 Temporary Modification of Education Duties Notice (No.4) 2020 (Department of Education)

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 19 May 2020

2017-2022 Mandate
Executive Bills            

2017-2022 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills

/ Bills progressing by accelerated passage

PROXY VOTING NOTICES – TUESDAY 19 MAY 2020

The following Members notified the Speaker, under Standing Order 112, that they wished to avail of proxy voting arrangements for the sitting on Tuesday 19 May 2020: