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

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