Minutes of Proceedings
Session: Session currently unavailable
Date: 09 November 2020
The Assembly met at noon, the Speaker in the Chair.
1. Prayers
Members observed two minutes' silence.
2. Speaker's Business
Member Resignation
The Speaker informed Members that Ms Catherine Kelly resigned as a Member for the West Tyrone constituency with effect from 3 November 2020 and that the Chief Electoral Officer was notified in accordance with Section 35 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.
3. Matter of the Day
US Presidential Election
Mrs Michelle O'Neill, under Standing Order 24, made a statement on the US Presidential Election. Other Members were also called to speak on the matter.
4. Executive Committee Business
4.1 Statement: North/South Ministerial Council - Education Sectoral Meeting
The Minister of Education, Mr Peter Weir, made a statement regarding the recent North/South Ministerial Council Education Sectoral Meeting, following which he replied to questions.
The Deputy Speaker, Mr McGlone, took the Chair.
4.2 Further Consideration Stage: Budget (No. 3) Bill (NIA Bill 09/17-22)
The Minister of Finance, Mr Conor Murphy, moved the Further Consideration Stage of the Budget (No. 3) Bill (NIA Bill 09/17-22).
No amendments were tabled to the Bill.
The Budget (No. 3) Bill (NIA Bill 09/17-22) stood referred to the Speaker for consideration in accordance with Section 10 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.
4.3 Motion: The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (Amendment No. 8) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020
Proposed:
That the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (Amendment No. 8) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 be approved.
The Executive Office
Motion: The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (Amendment No. 9) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020
Proposed:
That the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (Amendment No. 9) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 be approved.
The Executive Office
Motion: The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (Amendment No. 10) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020
Proposed:
That the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (Amendment No. 10) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 be approved.
The Executive Office
Motion: The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020
Proposed:
That the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 be approved.
The Executive Office
A single debate ensued on all four motions.
The debate stood suspended for Question Time.
The Speaker took the Chair.
5. Question Time
5.1 Economy
Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister for the Economy, Mrs Diane Dodds.
5.2 Education
Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Education, Mr Peter Weir.
6. Question for Urgent Oral Answer
6.1 Caterpillar: Job Losses
The Minister for the Economy, Mrs Diane Dodds, responded to a Question for Urgent Oral Answer tabled by Mr Stewart Dickson.
7. Assembly Business
7.1 Motion: Extension of Sitting on Monday 09 November 2020 under Standing Order 10(3A)
Proposed:
That, in accordance with Standing Order 10(3A), the sitting on Monday 9 November 2020 be extended to no later than 9.00pm.
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.
The Deputy Speaker, Mr Beggs, took the Chair.
8. Executive Committee Business (cont'd)
8.1 Motion: The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (Amendment No. 8) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (cont'd)
Motion: The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (Amendment No. 9) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (cont'd)
Motion: The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (Amendment No. 10) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (cont'd)
Motion: The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (cont'd)
Debate resumed on all four motions.
The Question being put, the motion on the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (Amendment No. 8) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 was carried.
The Question being put, the motion on the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (Amendment No. 9) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 was carried.
The Question being put, the motion on the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (Amendment No. 10) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 was carried.
The Question being put, the motion on the Health Protection ((Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 was carried.
The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.
9. Private Members' Business
9.1 Motion: Manufacturing Sector during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Proposed:
That this Assembly recognises the vital role played by our local manufacturing sector in sustaining and growing our economy; further recognises the huge pressures on our manufacturing sector during the COVID-19 pandemic; commends employers and workers in the manufacturing sector who continue to persevere in the most adverse of economic conditions with limited financial support; notes with concern the potential job losses in the manufacturing sector; calls on the Minister for the Economy to detail the short to medium-term support measures that will be put in place to support the manufacturing sector through the COVID-19 pandemic; and further calls on her to produce the long-overdue manufacturing strategy to help the long-term recovery of, and growth within, the sector.
Ms John Stewart
Dr Steve Aiken
Mr Robbie Butler
Debate ensued.
The Question being put, the motion was carried.
10. Adjournment
Proposed:
That the Assembly do now adjourn.
The Speaker
The Assembly adjourned at 8.32pm.
Mr Alex Maskey
The Speaker
9 November 2020
Northern Ireland Assembly
Papers Presented to the Assembly on 4 November 2020 to 9 November 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
2019-20 Annual Report and Accounts for Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman (Department of Finance)
2019-20 Annual Report and Accounts for the Department for Communities (Department of Finance)
Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals Northern Ireland 2019 (Department of Health)
2019-20 Annual Report and Accounts for the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Department of Finance)
Legislative Consent Memorandum on The Medicines and Medical Devices Bill (Department of Health)
Libraries NI Annual Report and Accounts 2019-20 (Department for Communities)
Northern Ireland Prison Service Annual Report and Accounts 2019-20 (Northern Ireland Prison Service)
Department of Finance Superannuation and Other Allowances Pension Scheme Annual Report and Accounts 2019-20 (Department of Finance)
Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service Annual Report and Accounts 2019-20 (Department of Justice)
Driver and Vehicle Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2019-20 (Department for Infrastructure)
Northern Ireland Forest Service Annual Report and Accounts 2019-20 (Northern Ireland Forest Service)
5. Assembly Reports
Report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules to the Assembly and the Appropriate Committees Eighth Report of Session 2020 - 2021 (NIA 52/17-22) (Examiner of Statutory Rules)
Report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules to the Assembly and the Appropriate Committees Ninth Report of Session 2020 - 2021 (NIA 53/17-22) (Examiner of Statutory Rules)
Committee for the Economy Energy Strategy Micro Inquiry (NIA 51/17-22) (Committee for the Economy)
6. Statutory Rules
SR 2020/239 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (Amendment No. 12) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department of Health)
SR 2020/241 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel) (Amendment No. 18) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department of Health)
SR 2020/242 The Social Security (Coronavirus) (Further Measures) (Amendment) and Miscellaneous Amendment Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department for Communities)
SR 2020/243 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel) (Amendment No. 19) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department of Health)
SR 2020/244 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel) (Amendment No. 20) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department of Health)
SR 2020/245 The Personal Independence Payment (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department for Communities)
For information only
SR 2020/240 The Road Traffic (Amendment) (2016 Act) (Commencement No. 2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department for Infrastructure)
Explanatory Memorandum for SR 2020/232 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (Amendment No. 11) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department of Health)
Explanatory Memorandum for SR 2020/234 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel) (Amendment No. 17) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department of Health)
7. Written Ministerial Statements
COVID-19 Update (Minister of Health)
8. Consultation Documents
9. Departmental Publications
10. Agency Publications
11. Westminster Publications
12. Miscellaneous Publications
PROXY VOTING NOTICES – MONDAY 9 NOVEMBER 2020
The following Members notified the Speaker, under Standing Order 112, that they wished to avail of proxy voting arrangements for the sitting on Monday 9 November 2020:
Andy Allen |
Gerry Kelly |
Martina Anderson |
Liz Kimmins |
Caoimhe Archibald |
Naomi Long |
Kellie Armstrong |
Gordon Lyons |
Rosemary Barton |
Séan Lynch |
Roy Beggs |
Chris Lyttle |
John Blair |
Nichola Mallon |
Cathal Boylan |
Declan McAleer |
Sinéad Bradley |
Fra McCann |
Paula Bradley |
Daniel McCrossan |
Paula Bradshaw |
Patsy McGlone |
Jonathan Buckley |
Colin McGrath |
Pam Cameron |
Philip McGuigan |
Pat Catney |
Maolíosa McHugh |
Alan Chambers |
Sinead McLaughlin |
Linda Dillon |
Justin McNulty |
Diane Dodds |
Andrew Muir |
Jemma Dolan |
Karen Mullan |
Gordon Dunne |
Conor Murphy |
Mark Durkan |
Mike Nesbitt |
Alex Easton |
Robin Newton |
Sinéad Ennis |
Carál Ní Chuilín |
Arlene Foster |
Michelle O’Neill |
Órlaithí Flynn |
Edwin Poots |
Colm Gildernew |
George Robinson |
Paul Givan |
Emma Rogan |
Deirdre Hargey |
Pat Sheehan |
Harry Harvey |
Emma Sheerin |
David Hilditch |
Christopher Stalford |
Cara Hunter |
John Stewart |
William Irwin |
Mervyn Storey |
Declan Kearney |
Robin Swann |
Dolores Kelly |
Peter Weir |