Minutes of Proceedings

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

1. Prayers

Members observed two minutes' silence.

2. Assembly Business

Motion: Suspension of Standing Order 20A

Proposed:

That Standing Order 20A be suspended for 7 July 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.

3. Executive Committee Business

3.1 Second Stage: The Pension Schemes Bill (NIA Bill 07/17-22)

The Minister for Communities, Ms Carál Ní Chuilín, moved the Second Stage of the Pension Schemes Bill (NIA Bill 07/17-22).

Debate ensued.

The Pension Schemes Bill (NIA Bill 07/17-22) passed Second Stage.

3.2 Motion: The Sea Fish Industry (Coronavirus) (Fixed Costs) Scheme (Northern Ireland) 2020

Proposed:

That the Sea Fish Industry (Coronavirus) (Fixed Costs) Scheme (Northern Ireland) 2020 be approved.

Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

Motion: The Sea Fish Industry (Coronavirus) (Fixed Costs) (Amendment) Scheme (Northern Ireland) 2020

Proposed:

That the Sea Fish Industry (Coronavirus) (Fixed Costs) (Amendment) Scheme (Northern Ireland) 2020 be approved.

Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

A single debate on both motions ensued.

The Question being put, the motion on the Sea Fish Industry (Coronavirus) (Fixed Costs) Scheme (Northern Ireland) 2020 was carried.

The Question being put, the motion on the Sea Fish Industry (Coronavirus) (Fixed Costs) (Amendment) Scheme (Northern Ireland) 2020 was carried.

3.3 Motion: The Rates (Exemption for Automatic Telling Machines in Rural Areas) Order (Northern Ireland) 2020

Proposed:

That the Rates (Exemption for Automatic Telling Machines in Rural Areas) Order (Northern Ireland) 2020 be affirmed.

Minister of Finance

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

3.4 Legislative Consent Motion: Business and Planning Bill

Proposed:

That this Assembly endorses the principle of the inclusion in the Business and Planning Bill of provision for temporary reduction in the duration of certain Northern Ireland driving licences.

Minister for Infrastructure

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

4. Committee Business

4.1 Motion: Concerns over COVID-19 Guidance and Financial Support to Industry Sectors

Proposed:

That this Assembly recognises the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the taxi, haulage, driving instruction, and private hire bus and coach sectors; acknowledges that these industries have not been prioritised in terms of guidance and support packages; and calls on the Minister for Infrastructure to bring forward proposals for the formulation of guidance and financial support for these sectors as a matter of urgency.

Chairperson, Committee for Infrastructure

Amendment

Proposed:

Leave out from 'these industries' to 'Minister for Infrastructure' and insert:

'the powers of the Minister for Infrastructure are limited to regulation of the transport and transit sectors; welcomes the work undertaken by sectoral bodies and the Minister for Infrastructure to ease burdensome regulation during the emergency period; further recognises that these industries have not been included in specific Executive support packages for private businesses; and calls on the Executive'

Mrs Dolores Kelly
Mr Daniel McCrossan
Ms Sinead Bradley

Debate ensued.

The sitting was suspended at 12.59pm.

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

5. Question Time

5.1 Executive Office

Questions were put to, and answered by, the deputy First Minister, Mrs Michelle O'Neill. The junior Minister, Mr Declan Kearney, also answered a number of questions.

5.2 Health

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Health, Mr Robin Swann.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

6. Committee Business (cont'd)

6.1 Motion: Concerns over COVID-19 Guidance and Financial Support to Industry Sectors (cont'd)

Amendment (cont'd)

Debate resumed.

The Question being put, the amendment was negatived (Division).

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

7. Private Members' Business

7.1 Motion: Disability Services and Family Carer Support

Proposed:

That this Assembly recognises the significant impact of COVID-19 on children and adults with a disability and the exceptional contribution of family carers further to the cessation of many statutory and non-statutory services; and calls on the Minister of Health to produce a detailed plan for the resumption of services.

Mr Robbie Butler
Mr Colin McGrath
Mr Colm Gildernew
Ms Kellie Armstrong
Mrs Pam Cameron
Mr Gerry Carroll
Ms Rachel Woods

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

The sitting was suspended at 5.50pm.

The sitting resumed at 6.00pm, with the Temporary Speaker, Mr Wells, in the Chair.

7.2 Motion: Ministerial Breaches of COVID-19 Regulations and Guidelines and the Associated Damage to Executive Messaging on COVID-19

Proposed:

That this Assembly acknowledges the immense sacrifices that people, families and communities have made during the COVID-19 emergency; pays tribute to those who selflessly prioritised the need to keep each other safe above their own personal needs, particularly during times of trauma, loss and grief; expresses disappointment in the actions of those in ministerial office who breached public guidance and failed to share in the sacrifice that we have asked of others; implores members of the public to stay with us and to continue acting in accordance with the regulations in order to keep each other safe and prevent further deaths; recommits to upholding the spirit and the letter of the COVID-19 regulations and the related public health guidance; and calls on the deputy First Minister and the Minister of Finance to apologise for their actions, which have caused immense hurt.

Mr Christopher Stalford
Ms Kellie Armstrong
Dr Steve Aiken
Mr Colin McGrath

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 7.45pm.

Mr Alex Maskey
The Speaker

7 July 2020

Northern Ireland Assembly

7 July 2020 Division

Motion: Concerns over COVID-19 Guidance and Financial Support to Industry Sectors
(Amendment)

Proposed:

Leave out from 'these industries' to 'Minister for Infrastructure' and insert:

'the powers of the Minister for Infrastructure are limited to regulation of the transport and transit sectors; welcomes the work undertaken by sectoral bodies and the Minister for Infrastructure to ease burdensome regulation during the emergency period; further recognises that these industries have not been included in specific Executive support packages for private businesses; and calls on the Executive'

Mrs Dolores Kelly
Mr Daniel McCrossan
Ms Sinead Bradley

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 30
Noes: 53

AYES

Dr Aiken, Mr Allen, Mr Allister, Ms Armstrong, Ms Bailey, Mrs Barton, Mr Beggs, Mr Blair, Ms S Bradley, Ms Bradshaw, Mr Butler, Mr Catney, Mr Chambers, Mr Dickson, Mr Durkan, Ms Hunter, Mrs D Kelly, Mrs Long, Mr Lunn, Mr Lyttle, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Ms McLaughlin, Mr McNulty, Ms Mallon, Mr Muir, Mr O'Toole, Mr Stewart, Miss Woods

Tellers for the Ayes: Ms S Bradley, Mr McCrossan

NOES

Ms Anderson, Dr Archibald, Mr Boylan, Mr M Bradley, Ms P Bradley, Mr K Buchanan, Mr T Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Ms Bunting, Mrs Cameron, Mr Clarke, Ms Dillon, Mrs Dodds, Ms Dolan, Mr Dunne, Mr Easton, Ms Ennis, Ms Flynn, Mrs Foster, Mr Frew, Mr Gildernew, Mr Givan, Ms Hargey, Mr Harvey, Mr Hilditch, Mr Humphrey, Mr Irwin, Mr Kearney, Ms C Kelly, Mr G Kelly, Ms Kimmins, Mr Lynch, Mr Lyons, Mr McAleer, Mr McCann, Mr McGuigan, Mr McHugh, Miss McIlveen, Mr Middleton, Ms Mullan, Mr Murphy, Mr Newton, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mr O'Dowd, Mrs O'Neill, Mr Poots, Mr Robinson, Ms Rogan, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin, Mr Storey, Ms Sugden, Mr Weir

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Boylan, Mr Hilditch

The Amendment fell.

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

Ms Armstrong voted for Mr Blair, 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, Mr Harvey, Mr Hilditch [Teller, Noes], Mr Humphrey, Mr Irwin, Mr Lyons, Miss McIlveen, Mr Newton, Mr Poots, Mr Robinson, Mr Storey and Mr Weir.

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

Mr O'Dowd voted for Ms Anderson, Dr Archibald, Mr Boylan [Teller, Noes], Ms Dillon, Ms Dolan, Ms Ennis, Ms Flynn, Mr Gildernew, 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 7 July 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

Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment 2019-20 Annual Report and Accounts (Department of Education)

5. Assembly Reports

Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Report on the Legislative Consent Memorandum on the UK Government Fisheries Bill 2019-2020 (NIA 13/17-22) (Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)

6. Statutory Rules

7. Written Ministerial Statements

8. Consultation Documents

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 7 July 2020

2017-2022 Mandate
Executive Bills                    

2017-2022 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills                 

/ Bills progressing by accelerated passage

PROXY VOTING NOTICES – TUESDAY 7 JULY 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 7 July 2020: