Minutes of Proceedings

Session: Session currently unavailable

Date: 07 June 2021

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

1. Prayers

Members observed two minutes' silence.


2. Speaker's Business

Committee for the Executive Office

The Speaker informed Members that on Tuesday 25 May 2021, he had received notification of the resignation of Mr Doug Beattie as Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for the Executive Office with immediate effect, that he had also received notification that Mr John Stewart had been nominated to fill the vacancy of Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for the Executive Office with effect from the same date, and that he was satisfied that the requirements of Standing Orders had been met.


3. Matter of the Day

3.1 Decision not to Prosecute Black Lives Matter Protestors

Mr Gerry Carroll, under Standing Order 24, made a statement on the Decision not to Prosecute Black Lives Matter Protestors. Other Members were also called to speak on the matter.

3.2 Appointment of Special Envoy to the United States

Mr Pat Sheehan, under Standing Order 24, made a statement on the Appointment of Special Envoy to the United States. Other Members were also called to speak on the matter.

 

4. Public Petition

4.1 Support for Unpaid Carers in Northern Ireland

Ms Kellie Armstrong was granted leave, in accordance with Standing Order 22, to present a Public Petition on Support for Unpaid Carers in Northern Ireland.


5. Assembly Business

5.1 Motion: Committee Membership

Proposed:

That Ms Joanne Bunting replace Mr Keith Buchanan and that Mr Trevor Clarke replace Mr Gary Middleton as members of the Business Committee.

Mr Keith Buchanan
Mr Gary Middleton

The Question being put, the motion was carried.


6. Executive Committee Business

6.1 Motion: Suspension of Standing Orders 10(2) to 10(4)

Proposed:

That Standing Orders 10(2) to 10(4) be suspended for 7 June 2021.

Minister of Finance

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

6.2 Motion: Supply Resolution for the Northern Ireland Main Estimates 2021-2022

Proposed:

That this Assembly approves that a sum, not exceeding £10,342,800,000 be granted out of the Consolidated Fund, for or towards defraying the charges for the Northern Ireland Departments, the Food Standards Agency, the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission, the Northern Ireland Audit Office, the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation, the Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman, and the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland for the year ending 31 March 2022 and that resources, not exceeding £11,843,690,000 be authorised for use by the Northern Ireland Departments, the Food Standards Agency, the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission, the Northern Ireland Audit Office, the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation, the Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman, and the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland for the year ending 31 March 2022 as summarised for each Department or other public body in Columns 3 (a) and 3 (b) of Table 1.3 in the volume of the Northern Ireland Main Estimates 2021-22 that was laid before the Assembly on 27 May 2021.

Minister of Finance

Debate ensued.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Beggs, took the Chair.

The debate stood suspended for Question Time.
The Speaker took the Chair.


7. Question Time

7.1 Economy

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister for the Economy, Mrs Diane Dodds.

7.2 Education

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

The Deputy Speaker, Mr McGlone, took the Chair.

 

8. Executive Committee Business (cont'd)

8.1 Motion: Supply Resolution for the Northern Ireland Main Estimates 2021-2022 (cont'd)

Debate resumed.

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

8.2 First Stage: The Budget (No. 2) Bill (NIA Bill 24/17-22)

A Bill to authorise the issue out of the Consolidated Fund of a certain sum for the service of the year ending 31 March 2022; to appropriate that sum for specified purposes; to authorise the Department of Finance to borrow on the credit of that sum; to authorise the use for the public service of certain resources (including accruing resources) for that year; and to repeal certain spent provisions.

The Budget (No. 2) Bill (NIA Bill 24/17-22) passed First Stage and was ordered to be printed.

The Deputy Speaker informed the Assembly that the Speaker had received correspondence from the Committee for Finance stating that the Committee was satisfied that the consultation with it on the public expenditure proposals contained in the Bill had been appropriate, as required under Standing Order 42(2).

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

9. Committee Business

9.1 Motion: Nature Friendly Farming

Proposed:

That this Assembly recognises the vital role that nature friendly farming must play in tackling the nature and climate emergencies, at the same time as providing a profitable future for the sector; believes that future agricultural policies for Northern Ireland must enable a transition to profitable, sustainable, nature friendly farming, in order to provide nutritious food, increase farm business resilience and combat the nature and climate emergencies; and welcomes the comments by the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs that future agricultural policy should ensure an industry that is environmentally sustainable and that displays improved resilience to external shocks.

Chairperson, Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

Amendment

Proposed:

Leave out all after 'Northern Ireland' and insert:
'must ensure the continuation of a transition to profitable, productive, sustainable, nature friendly farming, in order to provide nutritious food, increase farm business resilience and combat the nature and climate emergencies; and welcomes the comments by the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs that future agricultural policy should ensure an industry that is environmentally and financially sustainable, while increasing productivity and that displays improved resilience to external shocks.'

Mr William Irwin
Mr Maurice Bradley
Mr Harry Harvey

Debate ensued.

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

 

10. Private Members' Business


10.1 First Stage: Defamation Bill (NIA Bill 25/17-22)

Mr Mike Nesbitt introduced a bill to amend the law of defamation.

The Defamation Bill (NIA Bill 25/17-22) passed First Stage and was ordered to be printed.

 

11. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 6.14pm.

Mr Alex Maskey
The Speaker
7 June 2021

Northern Ireland Assembly

7 June 2021 - Division

Amendment: Nature Friendly Farming

Proposed:

Leave out all after 'Northern Ireland' and insert:
'must ensure the continuation of a transition to profitable, productive, sustainable, nature friendly farming, in order to provide nutritious food, increase farm business resilience and combat the nature and climate emergencies; and welcomes the comments by the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs that future agricultural policy should ensure an industry that is environmentally and financially sustainable, while increasing productivity and that displays improved resilience to external shocks.'

Mr William Irwin
Mr Maurice Bradley
Mr Harry Harvey

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 36
Noes: 48

AYES
Dr Aiken, Mr Allen, Mr Allister, Mrs Barton, Mr Beggs, Mr M Bradley, Ms P Bradley, Mr K Buchanan, Mr T Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Ms Bunting, Mr Butler, Mrs Cameron, Mr Chambers, Mr Clarke, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Mr Easton, Mrs Foster, Mr Frew, Mr Givan, Mr Harvey, Mr Hilditch, Mr Humphrey, Mr Irwin, Mr Lyons, Miss McIlveen, Mr Middleton, Mr Nesbitt, Mr Newton, Mr Poots, Mr Robinson, Mr Stewart, Mr Storey, Mr Swann, Mr Weir.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr M Bradley, Mr Harvey.

NOES
Ms Anderson, Dr Archibald, Ms Armstrong, Ms Bailey, Mr Blair, Mr Boylan, Ms S Bradley, Ms Bradshaw, Ms Brogan, Mr Carroll, Mr Catney, Mr Dickson, Ms Dillon, Ms Dolan, Mr Durkan, Ms Ennis, Ms Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Ms Hargey, Ms Hunter, Mr Kearney, Mrs D Kelly, Mr G Kelly, Ms Kimmins, Mrs Long, Mr Lynch, Mr Lyttle, Mr McAleer, Mr McCann, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McGuigan, Mr McHugh, Ms McLaughlin, Mr McNulty, Ms Mallon, Mr Muir, Ms Mullan, Mr Murphy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mr O'Dowd, Mrs O'Neill, Mr O'Toole, Ms Rogan, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin, Ms Sugden.

Tellers for the Noes: Ms Brogan, Mr Dickson.

The amendment fell.

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

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

Ms Bunting voted for Ms P Bradley, Mr K Buchanan, Mr T Buchanan, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Mr Easton, Mrs Foster, Mr Givan, Mr Harvey [Teller, Ayes], Mr Hilditch, Mr Irwin, Mr Lyons, Mr Middleton, Mr Newton, Mr Poots, Mr Robinson, Mr Storey and Mr Weir.

Mr Butler voted for Mr Aiken, Mr Allen, Mrs Barton, Mr Beggs, Mr Chambers, Mr Nesbitt [Teller, Noes], Mr Stewart and Mr Swann.

Mr O'Dowd voted for Ms Anderson, Dr Archibald, Mr Boylan, Ms Brogan [Teller, Noes], Ms Dillon, Ms Dolan, Ms Ennis, Ms Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Ms Hargey, Mr Kearney, 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.

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

Ms Bailey voted for Ms Sugden.

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 2 June 2021 to 7 June 2021.


1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly

2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly

The Budget (No. 2) Bill (NIA Bill 24/17-22)

The Defamation Bill (NIA Bill 25/17-22)


3. Orders in Council

4. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

The Management and Delivery of the Personal Independence Payment Contract in Northern Ireland (Northern Ireland Audit Office)

Closing the Gap - Social Deprivation and Links to Educational Attainment (Northern Ireland Audit Office)

Second Report – Overview of the Northern Ireland Executive's Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic (Northern Ireland Audit Office)

5. Assembly Reports

6. Statutory Rules

SR 2021/140 The Insolvency (Amendment) (2016 Act) (Consequential Amendments and Revocation) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department for the Economy)

SR 2021/148 The Low Road, Newry (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2021/151 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 6) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department of Health)

SR 2021/153 The Trunk Road, T2 (Ballynahinch Bypass) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department for Infrastructure)

For information only

SR 2021/142 The Parking and Waiting Restrictions (Newtownabbey) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2021/143 The Private Accesses on the Trunk Road T4 ("the A1 Junctions Phase 2 – Loughbrickland to Hillsborough") (Stopping-Up) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2021/144 The Waiting Restrictions (Maghera) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2021/145 The Road Races (Cairncastle Hill Climb) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2021/146 (C.4) The Road Traffic (Amendment) (2016 Act) (Commencement No. 3) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2021/149 The Parking Place (Greencastle Street, Kilkeel) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2021/150 The One-Way Traffic (Belfast) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department for Infrastructure)

Explanatory Memorandum for SR 2021/131 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department of Health)

Explanatory Memorandum for SR 2021/141 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 5) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department of Health)

7. Written Ministerial Statements

8. Consultation Documents

9. Departmental Publications

10. Agency Publications

11. Westminster Publications

12. Miscellaneous Publications

PROXY VOTING NOTICES – MONDAY 7 JUNE 2021

The following Members notified the Speaker, under Standing Order 112, that they wished to avail of proxy voting arrangements for the sitting on Monday 7 June 2021:

Steve Aiken

Gerry Kelly

Andy Allen

Liz Kimmins

Martina Anderson

Naomi Long

Caoimhe Archibald

Gordon Lyons

Kellie Armstrong

Séan Lynch

Rosemary Barton

Chris Lyttle

Roy Beggs

Nichola Mallon

John Blair

Declan McAleer

Cathal Boylan

Fra McCann

Paula Bradley

Daniel McCrossan

Sinead Bradley

Patsy McGlone

Nicola Brogan

Colin McGrath

Keith Buchanan

Philip McGuigan

Tom Buchanan

Maolíosa McHugh

Pat Catney

Sinead McLaughlin

Alan Chambers

Justin McNulty

Stewart Dickson

Gary Middleton

Linda Dillon

Andrew Muir

Diane Dodds

Karen Mullan

Jemma Dolan

Conor Murphy

Gordon Dunne

Mike Nesbitt

Mark Durkan

Robin Newton

Alex Easton

Carál Ní Chuilín

Sinead Ennis

Michelle O’Neill

Arlene Foster

Edwin Poots

Órlaithí Flynn

George Robinson

Colm Gildernew

Emma Rogan

Paul Givan

Pat Sheehan

Deirdre Hargey

Emma Sheerin

Harry Harvey

Christopher Stalford

David Hilditch

John Stewart

Cara Hunter

Mervyn Storey

William Irwin

Robin Swann

Declan Kearney

Peter Weir

Dolores Kelly

 

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