Minutes of Proceedings

Session: Session currently unavailable

Date: 30 June 2020

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

1. Prayers

Members observed two minutes' silence.

2. Matter of the Day

Condolences to the Family of Noah Donohoe

Mr John O'Dowd, under Standing Order 24, made a statement of condolence to the family of Noah Donohoe. Other Members were also called to speak on the matter.

3. Assembly Business

3.1 Motion: Conferral of Functions on the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes that Members' salaries and pensions are determined by an independent body and that there should be no change to that arrangement; agrees that alternative provision should be made for Members' allowances; and, in accordance with section 47 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, resolves that the Assembly Commission may determine the allowances payable to Members of the Assembly, the date from which such allowances are payable, which may be a date before or after the making of the determination or this resolution, and that the Commission shall publish any such determination.

Mr John Blair
Mr Keith Buchanan
Mr Robbie Butler
Mrs Dolores Kelly
Mr John O'Dowd

Amendment

Proposed:

Leave out all after 'salaries' and insert:

', allowances and pensions are determined by an independent body and that there should be no change to that arrangement, save that, in accordance with section 47 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, the Assembly Commission can issue guidance to the independent body on the subject of allowances, with the exception of the quantum thereof, but only in circumstances where the implementation of the arrangements set by the independent body are causing practical difficulties or inequities, and the Commission shall publish all such guidance.'

Mr Jim Allister

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the Amendment fell (Division).

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

4. Executive Committee Business

4.1 Motion: The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Amendment No. 5) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020

Proposed:

That the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Amendment No. 5) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 be approved.

The Executive Office

Motion: The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Amendment No. 6) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020

Proposed:

That the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Amendment No. 6) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020.

The Executive Office

A single debate on both motions ensued.

The sitting was suspended at 12.55pm.

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

5. Question Time

5.1 Education

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Education, Mr Peter Weir.

5.2 Finance

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Finance, Mr Conor Murphy.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

6. Executive Committee Business (cont'd)

6.1 Statement – Public Expenditure: 2019-20 Provisional Outturn, 2020-21 June Monitoring and COVID-19 Re-prioritisation

The Minister of Finance, Mr Conor Murphy, made a statement to the Assembly regarding the Public Expenditure: 2019-20 Provisional Outturn, 2020-21 June Monitoring and COVID-19 Re-prioritisation, following which he replied to questions.

6.2 Motion: The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Amendment No. 5) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (cont'd)

Motion: The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Amendment No. 6) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (cont'd)

Debate resumed.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Beggs, took the Chair.

The Question being put, the motion on the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Amendment No. 5) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 was carried.

The Question being put, the motion on the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Amendment No. 6) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 was carried.

6.3 Motion: The Motor Vehicles (Wearing of Seat Belts) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020

Proposed:

That the Motor Vehicles (Wearing of Seat Belts) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 be affirmed.

Minister for Infrastructure

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

6.4 Legislative Consent Motion: Environment Bill

Proposed:

That this Assembly endorses the principle of the extension to Northern Ireland of the provisions of the Environment Bill, as introduced on 30 January 2020, dealing with: Environmental Governance: Northern Ireland in clauses 45 and 46 and Schedules 2 and 3; Waste and Resource Efficiency in clauses 47 – 53, 56, 58, 62, 64 and 68 and Schedules 4 - 9; Water Quality in clauses 81 and 83; and Amendment of REACH legislation in clause 125 and Schedule 19.

Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

The Temporary Speaker, Mr Wells, took the Chair.

6.5 Final Stage: Housing (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 6/17-22)

The Minister for Communities, Ms Carál Ní Chuilín, moved that the Final Stage of the Housing (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 6/17-22) do now pass.

Debate ensued.

The Housing (Amendment) (NIA Bill 6/17-22) passed Final Stage.

7. Private Members' Business

7.1 Motion: Concern and Anxiety over the Reopening of Schools

Proposed:

That this Assembly recognises the concern and anxiety that exists among teaching and non-teaching staff, as well as among parents and young people, in relation to the eventual reopening of schools; understands the challenges facing school Boards of Governors and Principals in keeping children and teachers safe while providing high quality education; believes that any reopening of schools should be based on scientific and medical advice consistent with that provided by the World Health Organisation and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control; and calls on the Minister of Education to engage and consult extensively with education stakeholders as well as parents and young people in advance of the reopening of schools in order to provide clear and early guidance.

Mrs Pam Cameron
Mr Alex Easton

Amendment

Proposed:

Leave out all after 'Control;' and insert:

'further recognises the limitations faced by many pupils in accessing online courses and private tutoring: recognises the need for an essential catch up programme to be established for all pupils, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds; and calls on the Minister of Education to engage and consult with all stakeholders, including teachers, parents and young people, on the reopening of schools and to ensure that no child loses out upon the reopening of schools.'

Mr Daniel McCrossan
Mr Justin McNulty

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the Amendment was made.

The Question being put, the motion as amended was carried.

8. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 10.33pm.

Mr Alex Maskey
The Speaker

30 June 2020

Northern Ireland Assembly

30 June 2020
Division

Conferral of Functions on the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission (Amendment)

Proposed:

Leave out all after 'salaries' and insert:

', allowances and pensions are determined by an independent body and that there should be no change to that arrangement, save that, in accordance with section 47 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, the Assembly Commission can issue guidance to the independent body on the subject of allowances, with the exception of the quantum thereof, but only in circumstances where the implementation of the arrangements set by the independent body are causing practical difficulties or inequities, and the Commission shall publish all such guidance.'

Mr Jim Allister

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 20
Noes: 67

AYES

Dr Aiken, Mr Allen, Mr Allister, Ms Armstrong, Ms Bailey, Mrs Barton, Mr Beattie, Ms Bradshaw, Mr Butler, Mr Carroll, Mr Chambers, Mr Dickson, Mrs Long, Mr Lyttle, Mr Muir, Mr Nesbitt, Mr Stewart, Ms Sugden, Mr Swann, Miss Woods.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Allister, Mr Beattie.

NOES

Ms Anderson, Dr Archibald, Mr Boylan, Mr M Bradley, Ms P Bradley, Ms S Bradley, Mr K Buchanan, Mr T Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Ms Bunting, Mrs Cameron, Mr Catney, Mr Clarke, Ms Dillon, Mrs Dodds, Ms Dolan, Mr Dunne, Mr Durkan, Mr Easton, Ms Ennis, Ms Flynn, Mrs Foster, Mr Frew, Mr Gildernew, Mr Givan, Ms Hargey, Mr Harvey, Mr Hilditch, Mr Humphrey, Ms Hunter, Mr Irwin, Mr Kearney, Ms C Kelly, Mrs D Kelly, Mr G Kelly, Ms Kimmins, Mr Lunn, Mr Lynch, Mr Lyons, Mr McAleer, Mr McCann, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McGuigan, Mr McHugh, Miss McIlveen, Ms McLaughlin, Mr McNulty, Ms Mallon, Mr Middleton, Ms Mullan, Mr Murphy, Mr Newton, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mr O'Dowd, Mrs O'Neill, Mr O'Toole, Mr Poots, Mr Robinson, Ms Rogan, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin, Mr Stalford, Mr Storey, Mr Weir, Mr Wells.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Gildernew, Mr Givan

The following Member voted in both Lobbies and is therefore not counted in the result: Mr Blair

The Amendment fell.

The following Members' votes were cast by their notified proxy in this division:

Ms Armstrong voted for Mr Blair, Ms Bradshaw, Mr Dickson, Mrs Long, Mr Lyttle and Mr Muir.

Mr K Buchanan voted for Mr M Bradley, Ms P Bradley, Mr T Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Ms Bunting, Mr Clarke, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Mr Easton, Mrs Foster, Mr Frew, Mr Givan [Teller, Noes], Mr Harvey, Mr Hilditch, Mr Humphrey, Mr Irwin, Mr Lyons, Miss McIlveen, Mr Newton, Mr Poots, Mr Robinson, Mr Storey and Mr Weir.

Mr Butler voted for Mr Stewart and Mr Swann.

Mr McGrath voted for Ms S Bradley, Mr Catney, Mr Durkan, Ms Hunter, Mrs D Kelly, Ms Mallon, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Ms McLaughlin, Mr McNulty and Mr O'Toole.

Mr O'Dowd voted for Ms Anderson, Dr Archibald, Mr Boylan, Ms Dillon, Ms Dolan, Ms Ennis, Ms Flynn, Mr Gildernew [Teller, Noes], Ms Hargey, Mr Kearney, Ms C Kelly, Mr G Kelly, Ms Kimmins, Mr Lynch, Mr McAleer, Mr McCann, Mr McGuigan, Mr McHugh, Ms Mullan, Mr Murphy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mrs O'Neill, Ms Rogan, Mr Sheehan and Ms Sheerin.

Miss Woods voted for Ms Bailey.

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 24 June 2020 – 30 June 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

Food Standards Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2019-20 (Department of Finance)

Sickness Absence in the Northern Ireland Civil Service 2019/2020 (Department of Finance)

Business and Planning Bill Legislative Consent Memorandum - (Department for Infrastructure)

Committee on Climate Change - Reducing UK emissions 2020 Progress Report to Parliament (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)

Education Authority 2018-19 Annual Report and Accounts (Department of Education)

Advancing Shared Education 2nd Report to the Assembly June 2020 (Department of Education)

Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta Annual Report and Accounts year ended 31 March 2020 (Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta)

Report on Child Sexual Exploitation in Northern Ireland (Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland)

Report on Addiction Services in Northern Ireland (Northern Ireland Audit Office)

5. Assembly Reports

Report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules to the Assembly and the Appropriate Committees Fourteenth Report of Session 2019 – 2020 (NIA 32/17-22) (Examiner of Statutory Rules)

6. Statutory Rules

SR 2020/112 The Waste (Fees and Charges) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)

SR 2020/113 The Attorney General's Human Rights Guidance (The Application of Section 5 of the Criminal Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1967 to Victims of Serious Sexual Offences and those to whom they make Disclosures) Order (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Attorney General for Northern Ireland)

SR 2020/116 The Census Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department of Finance)

SR 2020/118 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Amendment No. 8) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department of Health)

SR 2020/120 The Local Government (Accounts and Audit) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department for Communities)

SR 2020/121 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Amendment No. 9) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department of Health)

For Information Only

SR 2020/114 The Taxis (Portstewart) Order (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2020/115 The Taxis (Carrickfergus) Order (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department for Infrastructure)

7. Written Ministerial Statements

£25m COVID-19 Support Package (Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)

8. Consultation Documents

Definition of Affordable Housing – Further Stakeholder Engagement (Department for Communities)

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 30 June 2020

2017-2022 Mandate
Executive Bills                

  

Title &
   NIA Bill Number

  
  

First
   Stage

  
  

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 Family Proceedings Bill (NIA Bill 03/17-22)

31/03/20

28/04/20

15/10/20

 

 

 

 

 

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

21/04/20

21/04/20

/

/

28/04/20

/

28/04/20

04/05/20

Budget   (No. 2) Bill (NIA 5/17-22)

26/05/20

26/05/20

/

/

01/06/20

02/06/20

02/06/20

17/06/20

Housing   Amendment Bill (NIA 6/17-22)

26/05/20

01/06/20

/

/

16/06/20

23/06/20

30/06/20

 

Pension   Schemes Bill (NIA 7/17-22)

23/06/20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2017-2022 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills                  

  

Title &
   NIA Bill Number

  
  

First
   Stage

  
  

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

 

 

 

 

 

/ Bills progressing by accelerated passage

PROXY VOTING NOTICES – TUESDAY 30 JUNE 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 30 June 2020:

Martina   Anderson

Dolores Kelly

Caoimhe Archibald

Gerry Kelly

Clare Bailey

Liz Kimmins

John Blair

Naomi Long

Cathal Boylan

Gordon Lyons

Maurice   Bradley

Séan Lynch

Paula Bradley

Chris Lyttle

Sinéad   Bradley

Nichola   Mallon

Paula   Bradshaw

Declan   McAleer

Thomas   Buchanan

Fra McCann

Jonathan   Buckley

Daniel   McCrossan

Joanne   Bunting

Patsy McGlone

Pat Catney

Philip   McGuigan

Trevor Clarke

Maolíosa   McHugh

Stewart   Dickson

Michelle   McIlveen

Linda Dillon

Sinead   McLaughlin

Diane Dodds

Justin   McNulty

Jemma Dolan

Andrew Muir

Gordon Dunne

Karen Mullan

Mark Durkan

Conor Murphy

Alex Easton

Robin Newton

Sinéad Ennis

Carál Ní   Chuilín

Arlene Foster

Michelle   O’Neill

Paul Frew

Matthew   O’Toole

Órlaithí   Flynn

Edwin Poots

Colm   Gildernew

George   Robinson

Paul Givan

Emma Rogan

Deirdre   Hargey

Pat Sheehan

Harry Harvey

Emma Sheerin

David   Hilditch

Christopher   Stalford

William   Humphrey

John Stewart

Cara Hunter

Mervyn Storey

William Irwin

Robin Swann

Declan   Kearney

Peter Weir

Catherine   Kelly

 

Find MLAs

Find your MLAs

Locate MLAs

Search

News and Media Centre

Visit the News and Media Centre

Read press releases, watch live and archived video

Find out more

Follow the Assembly

Follow the Assembly on our social media channels

Keep up-to-date with the Assembly

Find out more

Useful Contacts

Contact us

Contacts for different parts of the Assembly

Contact Us