Minutes of Proceedings

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

1. Prayers

Members observed two minutes' silence.

2. Speaker's Business

Assembly Business

The Principal Deputy Speaker expressed condolences on behalf of the Assembly to all those who had lost loved ones due to coronavirus, and made some remarks on how the Assembly has been, and will be, conducting business in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Committee Business

The Principal Deputy Speaker advised Members that the nominating officer of the DUP had notified the Speaker's Office that Ms Joanne Bunting has been nominated to fill the vacancy of Deputy Chairperson of the Audit Committee with effect from 16 April 2020 and that the Speaker is satisfied that the requirements of Standing Orders have been met.

3. Executive Committee Business

3.1 First Stage - Private Tenancies (Coronavirus Modifications) Bill (NIA 4/17-22)

The Minister for Communities, Ms Deirdre Hargey, introduced a Bill to make emergency modifications in connection with coronavirus in relation to notices to quit to be given by landlords of private tenancies.

The Private Tenancies (Coronavirus Modifications) Bill (NIA 4/17-22) passed First Stage and was ordered to be published.

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

Proposed:

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

The Executive Office

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

3.3 Motion: The draft Discretionary Support (Amendment No. 2) (COVID-19) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020

Proposed:

That the draft Discretionary Support (Amendment No. 2) (COVID-19) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 be approved.

Minister for Communities

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

The sitting was suspended at 1.10pm.

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

4. Executive Committee Business (cont'd)

4.1 Motion: Accelerated Passage – The Private Tenancies (Coronavirus Modifications) Bill

Proposed:

That the Private Tenancies (Coronavirus Modifications) Bill proceed under the accelerated passage procedure.

Minister for Communities

Debate ensued.

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

4.2 Second Stage – The Private Tenancies (Coronavirus Modifications) Bill (NIA 4/17-22)

Minister for Communities

The Minister for Communities, Ms Deirdre Hargey, moved the Second Stage of the Private Tenancies (Coronavirus Modifications) Bill (NIA 4/17-22).

Debate ensued.

The Private Tenancies (Coronavirus Modifications) Bill (NIA 4/17-22) passed Second Stage.

4.3 Suspension of Standing Orders 31(d), 37, 39(1) and 42(5)

Proposed:

That Standing Orders 31(d), 37, 39(1) and 42(5) be suspended in respect of the passage of the Private Tenancies (Coronavirus Modifications) Bill.

Minister for Communities

Debate ensued.

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

5. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 3.09pm.

Mr Alex Maskey
The Speaker
21 April 2020

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 1 April 2020 – 21 April 2020

1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly

2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly

The Private Tenancies (Coronavirus Modifications) Bill (NIA Bill 04/17-22)

3. Orders in Council

4. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

Legislative Consent Memorandum – Pension Schemes Bill (Department for Communities)

Minute on the Direction of Accruing Resources (Department of Finance)

NISRA Statistical Review of Northern Ireland Agriculture 2019 (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)

Northern Ireland Certification Officer 2018- 2019 Annual Report of the Certification for Northern Ireland (Department for Economy)

Legislative Consent Memorandum - Private International Law (Implementation of Agreements) Bill (Department of Justice)

5. Assembly Reports

Report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules to the Assembly and the Appropriate Committees Sixth Report of Session 2019 - 2020 (NIA 16/17-22)

Report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules to the Assembly and the Appropriate Committees Seventh Report of Session 2019 - 2020 (NIA 17/17-22)

6. Statutory Rules

SR 2020/59 The Rates (Regional Rates) Order (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department of Finance)

SR 2020/60 The Establishment and Agencies (Fitness of Workers) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department of Health)

SR 2020/62 The Social Fund Funeral Expenses Payment (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department for Communities)

SR 2020/64 The Taxi Licensing (Amendment) (Coronavirus) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2020 (draft) The Census Order (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department of Finance)

SR 2020 (draft) The Discretionary Support (Amendment No. 2) (COVID-19) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department for Communities)

SR 2020/65 The Police Trainee (Amendment) (Coronavirus) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department of Justice)

SR 2020/66 The Statutory Sick Pay (General) (Coronavirus Amendment) (No.3) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department for Communities)

7. Written Ministerial Statements

Minister of Finance - COVID-19 Response Funding Allocations

Minister for Infrastructure – Taxi Licensing Regulations

8. Consultation Documents

9. Departmental Publications

Notice temporarily disapplying or modifying education duties No. 1 (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department of Education) (made under the Coronavirus Act 2020)

The Temporary Modification of Education Duties (No 2) Notice (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department of Education) (made under the Coronavirus Act 2020)

Coronavirus Act 2020 Temporary Modification of Education Duties (No 2) Cancellation Notice (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department of Education)

Coronavirus Act 2020 Temporary Modification of Education Duties (No 3) Notice (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department of Education)

Letter on the delay in the laying of the Shared Education Report to the NI Assembly (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 21 April 2020

2017-2022 Mandate
Executive Bills          

2017-2022 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills                  

/ Bills progressing by accelerated passage

Proxy Voting Notices

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 April 2020: