Minutes of Proceedings

Session: Session currently unavailable

Date: 31 December 2020

The Assembly met at 11.00am, the Speaker in the Chair.

1. Prayers

Members observed two minutes' silence.

2. Private Members' Business

2.1 Motion: COVID-19 Impact on School Opening

That this Assembly notes with concern reports that the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies may have recommended school closures; is deeply concerned by the number of deaths from COVID-19; recognises the concerns of teachers, pupils and parents; calls for urgent clarity from the Minister of Education on what work has been undertaken with the Department of Health on protecting school children, teachers, parents and the wider public from the spread of COVID-19; and further calls on the Minister of Education to outline the medical and scientific advice his Department has received and to explain whether he will consider additional mitigations, including a phased return or extended school closure, if this has been recommended by the medical and scientific advice.

Mr Daniel McCrossan
Mr Justin McNulty
Mr Colin McGrath

Amendment

Proposed:

Leave out all after 'mitigations' and insert:

'and protections, while welcoming the announcement today by the Minister detailing a phased return to schools and seeking assurances from the Minister on the work his Department will now undertake to ensure the safety of staff and pupils during the remainder of the pandemic.'

Mr Daniel McCrossan
Mr Justin McNulty
Mr Colin McGrath

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the Amendment was made.

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

3. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 1.05pm.

 

Mr Alex Maskey
The Speaker
31 December 2020

 

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 31 December 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

5. Assembly Reports

6. Statutory Rules

SR 2020/359 The Marketing of Seed Potatoes, Plant and Propagating Material Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)

SR 2020/360 The Official Controls (Plant Protection Products) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)

SR 2021/1 The Covid-19 Heating Payment Scheme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department for Communities)

SR 2021/2 The Universal Credit (Transitional Provisions) (Claimants previously entitled to a severe disability premium) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department for Communities)

7. Written Ministerial Statements

Further changes to COVID restrictions in Education settings from January 2021 (Minister of Education)

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 31 December 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

 

17/11/20

15/12/20

 

 

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

21/04/20

21/04/20

/

/

28/04/20

/

28/04/20

04/05/20

Budget   (No. 2) Bill (NIA Bill 05/17-22)

26/05/20

26/05/20

/

/

01/06/20

02/06/20

02/06/20

17/06/20

Housing   Amendment Bill (NIA Bill 06/17-22)

26/05/20

01/06/20

/

/

16/06/20

23/06/20

30/06/20

28/08/20

Pension   Schemes Bill (NIA Bill 07/17-22)

23/06/20

07/07/20

29/01/21

19/11/20

 

 

 

 

Executive   Committee (Functions) Bill (NIA Bill 08/17-22)

06/07/20

06/07/20

/

/

21/07/20

27/07/20

28/07/20

25/08/20

Budget   (No. 3) Bill

(NIA   Bill 09/17-22)

19/10/20

20/10/20

/

/

02/11/20

09/11/20

10/11/20

25/11/20

The   Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Bill

(NIA   Bill 10/17-22)

19/10/20

03/11/20

15/05/21

 

 

 

 

 

The   Criminal Justice (Committal Reform) Bill (NIA Bill 11/17-22)

03/11/20

16/11/20

11/06/21

 

 

 

 

 

The   Harbours (Grants and Loans Limit) Bill (NIA Bill 12/17-22)

23/11/20

01/12/20

/

/

14/12/20

 

 

 

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

11/11/20

24/11/20

 

 

 

Assembly   Members (Remuneration Board) Bill

(NIA   Bill 13/17-22)

14/12/20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/ Bills progressing by accelerated passage

PROXY VOTING NOTICES – THURSDAY 31 DECEMBER 2020

The following Members notified the Speaker, under Standing Order 112, that they wished to avail of proxy voting arrangements for the sitting on Thursday 31 December 2020:

Steve Aiken

Declan   Kearney

Andy Allen

Dolores Kelly

Martina   Anderson

Gerry Kelly

Caoimhe Archibald

Liz Kimmins

Kellie   Armstrong

Naomi Long

Rosemary   Barton

Gordon Lyons

Doug Beattie

Séan Lynch

Roy Beggs

Nichola   Mallon

John Blair

Declan   McAleer

Cathal Boylan

Fra McCann

Paula Bradley

Daniel   McCrossan

Sinead   Bradley

Patsy McGlone

Paula   Bradshaw

Philip   McGuigan

Nicola Brogan

Maolíosa   McHugh

Keith   Buchanan

Sinead   McLaughlin

Thomas   Buchanan

Justin   McNulty

Jonathan   Buckley

Gary   Middleton

Pat Catney

Andrew Muir

Alan Chambers

Karen Mullan

Stewart   Dickson

Conor Murphy

Linda Dillon

Mike Nesbitt

Diane Dodds

Robin Newton

Jemma Dolan

Carál Ní   Chuilín

Gordon Dunne

Michelle   O’Neill

Mark Durkan

Matthew   O’Toole

Alex Easton

Edwin Poots

Sinéad Ennis

George   Robinson

Arlene Foster

Emma Rogan

Órlaithí   Flynn

Pat Sheehan

Colm   Gildernew

Emma Sheerin

Paul Givan

Christopher   Stalford

Deirdre   Hargey

John Stewart

Harry Harvey

Mervyn Storey

David Hilditch

Robin Swann

Cara Hunter

Peter Weir

William Irwin