Minutes of Proceedings

Session: Session currently unavailable

Date: 15 June 2021

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

1. Prayers

Members observed two minutes' silence.

2. Executive Committee Business

2.1 Statement: Northstone (NI) Asphalt Resurfacing

The Minister for Infrastructure, Ms Nichola Mallon, made a statement regarding Northstone (NI) Asphalt Resurfacing, following which she replied to questions.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Beggs, took the Chair.

2.2 Statement: Publication of the Elective Care Framework

The Minister of Health, Mr Robin Swann, made a statement regarding the Publication of the Elective Care Framework, following which he replied to questions.

2.3 Motion: The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 4) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021

Proposed:

That the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 4) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 be approved.

Minister of Health

Motion: The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 5) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021

Proposed:

That the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 5) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 be approved.

Minister of Health

Motion: The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021

Proposed:

That the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 be approved.

Minister of Health

A single debate ensued on all three motions.

The Question being put, the motion on the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 4) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 was carried.

The Question being put, the motion on the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 5) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 was carried.

The Question being put, the motion on the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 was carried.

The sitting was suspended at 1.02pm.

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

3. Question Time

3.1 Infrastructure

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister for Infrastructure, Ms Nichola Mallon.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

3.2 Assembly Commission

Questions were put to, and answered by, Member of the Assembly Commission.

4. Committee Business

4.1 Motion: Carers' Support

Proposed:

That this Assembly acknowledges the invaluable role unpaid carers have within society; further acknowledges that Carers Week was from 7 to 13 June 2021; notes that many unpaid carers are unseen and unsupported by public services; further notes that unpaid carers are a diverse group with varying needs; recognises that the COVID-19 restrictions, including the withdrawal of respite and day care services, have had a detrimental impact on carers and those they care for; further recognises the efforts to provide carers with a COVID-19 recognition grant; calls on the Minister of Health to urgently rebuild respite services, day care services, and to deliver the carers COVID-19 recognition grant; and further calls on the Minister to begin, immediately, work on a carers register that will include all carers in receipt of carers allowance, attendance allowance, as well as all other carers who are excluded from financial help due to the maximum income threshold limit, and to work with the wider Executive to make carers more visible and valued by public services.

Chairperson, Committee for Health

Debate ensued.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr McGlone, took the Chair.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.


4.2 Motion: Amend Standing Order 110

Proposed:

Leave out Standing Order 110 (1) and insert:-

(1) Unless the Assembly previously resolves, Standing Orders 110-116 ('the temporary provisions') apply in the period from 31st March 2020 to the end of the 2017-22 mandate.

Chairperson, Committee on Procedures

Debate ensued.

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

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Beggs, took the Chair.

4.3 Motion: Simultaneous Interpretation of Assembly Business in Irish and Ulster Scots, as set out in 'New Decade, New Approach'

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes the provision in paragraph 5.21.2 of New Decade, New Approach, to allow any person to conduct their business before the Assembly or an Assembly Committee through Irish or Ulster Scots; further notes that a simultaneous translation system will be made available in the Assembly to ensure that a person without Irish or Ulster Scots is not placed at a disadvantage; and, as provided for in Section 40(5) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, directs the Assembly Commission to provide a simultaneous and passive system for interpretation in the Assembly that is capable of supporting one meeting at any one time; and calls on the Assembly Commission to make any other arrangements as may be necessary for the operation of such a system.

Chairperson, Committee on Procedures

Amendment

Proposed:

Insert after the first 'Assembly Commission':

', where there is appropriate demand and subject to review after 6 months,'

Mr Robbie Butler
Mr Andy Allen

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the amendment was made (Division 1).

The Question being put, the motion as amended was carried (Division 2).

5. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 6.42pm.

Mr Alex Maskey
The Speaker
15 June 2021

 

Northern Ireland Assembly

15 June 2021 - Division 1

Motion: Simultaneous Interpretation of Assembly Business in Irish and Ulster Scots, as set out in 'New Decade, New Approach' – Amendment

Proposed:

Insert after the first 'Assembly Commission':

', where there is appropriate demand and subject to review after 6 months,'

Mr Robbie Butler
Mr Andy Allen

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 44
Noes: 41

AYES

Dr Aiken, Mr Allen, Mr Allister, Ms Armstrong, Mrs Barton, Mr Beattie, Mr Blair, Mr M Bradley, Ms P Bradley, Ms Bradshaw, Mr K Buchanan, Mr T Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Ms Bunting, Mr Butler, Mrs Cameron, Mr Chambers, Mr Clarke, Mr Dickson, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Mr Easton, Mr Frew, Mr Givan, Mr Harvey, Mr Hilditch, Mr Humphrey, Mr Irwin, Mrs Long, Mr Lyons, Mr Lyttle, Miss McIlveen, Mr Middleton, Mr Muir, Mr Nesbitt, Mr Newton, Mr Poots, Mr Robinson, Mr Stalford, Mr Stewart, Mr Storey, Ms Sugden, Mr Swann, Mr Weir.

Tellers for the Ayes: Ms Armstrong, Mr Nesbitt.

NOES

Ms Anderson, Dr Archibald, Ms Bailey, Mr Boylan, Ms S Bradley, Ms Brogan, Mr Carroll, Mr Catney, 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, Mr Lynch, Mr McAleer, Mr McCann, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McGuigan, Mr McHugh, Ms McLaughlin, Mr McNulty, Ms Mallon, Ms Mullan, Mr Murphy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mr O'Dowd, Mrs O'Neill, Mr O'Toole, Ms Rogan, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin, Miss Woods.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Lynch, Mr Sheehan.

The amendment was made.

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

Ms Bradshaw voted for Ms Armstrong [Teller, Ayes], Mr Blair, Mr Dickson, Mrs Long, Mr Lyttle and Mr Muir.

Ms Bunting voted for Mr M Bradley, Ms P Bradley, Mr K Buchanan, Mr T Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Mr Dunne, Mr Easton, Mr Frew, Mr Givan, Mr Harvey, Mr Hilditch, Mr Irwin, Mr Lyons, Miss McIlveen, Mr Middleton, Mr Poots, Mr Robinson, Mr Stalford, Mr Storey and Mr Weir.

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

Mr O'Dowd voted for Ms Anderson, Dr Archibald, Mr Boylan, Ms Brogan, Ms Dillon, Ms Dolan, Ms Ennis, Ms Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Ms Hargey, Mr Kearney, Mr G Kelly, Ms Kimmins, Mr Lynch [Teller, Noes], Mr McAleer, Mr McCann, Mr McGuigan, Mr McHugh, Ms Mullan, Mr Murphy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mrs O'Neill, Ms Rogan, Mr Sheehan [Teller, Noes] and Ms Sheerin.

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

Ms Bailey voted for Ms Sugden.

Northern Ireland Assembly

15 June 2021 - Division 2

Motion: Simultaneous Interpretation of Assembly Business in Irish and Ulster Scots, as set out in 'New Decade, New Approach' (As Amended)

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes the provision in paragraph 5.21.2 of 'New Decade, New Approach', to allow any person to conduct their business before the Assembly or an Assembly Committee through Irish or Ulster Scots; further notes that a simultaneous translation system will be made available in the Assembly to ensure that a person without Irish or Ulster Scots is not placed at a disadvantage; and, as provided for in section 40(5) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, directs the Assembly Commission, where there is appropriate demand and subject to review after six months, to provide a simultaneous and passive system for interpretation in the Assembly that is capable of supporting one meeting at any one time; and calls on the Assembly Commission to make any other arrangements as may be necessary for the operation of such a system.

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 58
Noes: 27

AYES

Dr Aiken, Mr Allen, Ms Anderson, Dr Archibald, Ms Armstrong, Ms Bailey, Mrs Barton, Mr Beattie, Mr Blair, Mr Boylan, Ms S Bradley, Ms Bradshaw, Ms Brogan, Mr Butler, Mr Carroll, Mr Catney, Mr Chambers, 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, Mr Nesbitt, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mr O'Dowd, Mrs O'Neill, Mr O'Toole, Ms Rogan, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin, Mr Stewart, Ms Sugden, Mr Swann, Miss Woods.

Tellers for the Ayes: Ms Ennis, Mr Sheehan.

NOES

Mr Allister, Mr M Bradley, Ms P Bradley, Mr K Buchanan, Mr T Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Ms Bunting, Mrs Cameron, Mr Clarke, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Mr Easton, Mr Frew, Mr Givan, Mr Harvey, Mr Hilditch, Mr Humphrey, Mr Irwin, Mr Lyons, Miss McIlveen, Mr Middleton, Mr Newton, Mr Poots, Mr Robinson, Mr Stalford, Mr Storey, Mr Weir.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr T Buchanan, Mr Clarke.

The motion as amended was carried.

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 Mr M Bradley, Ms P Bradley, Mr K Buchanan, Mr T Buchanan [Teller, Noes], Mr Buckley, Mr Dunne, Mr Easton, Mr Frew, Mr Givan, Mr Harvey, Mr Hilditch, Mr Irwin, Mr Lyons, Miss McIlveen, Mr Middleton, Mr Poots, Mr Robinson, Mr Stalford, Mr Storey and Mr Weir.

Mr Butler voted for Dr Aiken, Mr Allen, Mrs Barton, Mr Chambers, Mr Nesbitt, Mr Stewart and Mr Swann.

Mr O'Dowd voted for Ms Anderson, Dr Archibald, Mr Boylan, Ms Brogan, Ms Dillon, Ms Dolan, Ms Ennis [Teller, Ayes], 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 [Teller, Ayes] and Ms Sheerin.

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

Ms Bailey voted for Ms Sugden.

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 15 June 2021

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

Social Fund Account for the year ended March 2020 (Northern Ireland Audit Office)

5. Assembly Reports

Report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules to the Assembly and the Appropriate Committees Forty-second Report of Session 2020 – 2021 (NIA 110/17-22) (Examiner of Statutory Rules)

6. Statutory Rules

SR 2021/160 The Public Health Notifiable Diseases Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department of Health)

SR 2021/161 The Sea Fish Industry (Coronavirus) (Fixed Costs) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)

For information only

Correct version of Draft SR - The Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (Relevant Benefits) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department of Justice)

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 15 June 2021

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 Civil Proceedings Bill (NIA Bill 03/17-22)

31/03/20

28/04/20

15/10/20

15/10/20

17/11/20

15/12/20

18/01/21

01/03/21

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

04/05/21

17/05/21

01/06/21

 

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

13/05/21

08/06/21

 

 

 

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

19/01/21

25/01/21

01/03/21

Protection from Stalking Bill (NIA Bill   14/17-22)

18/01/20

08/02/21

10/12/21

 

 

 

 

 

The Damages (Return on Investment) Bill (NIA   Bill 16/17-22)

01/03/21

09/03/21

28/10/21

 

 

 

 

 

Budget Bill (NIA Bill 17/17-22)

01/03/21

02/03/21

/

/

08/03/21

09/03/21

09/03/21

23/03/21

Health and Social Care Bill (NIA Bill   18/17/22)


  08/03/21

 

16/03/21

01/10/21

 

 

 

 

 

Horse Racing (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill   20/17-22)

13/04/21

26/04/21

28/01/22

 

 

 

 

 

The Financial Reporting (Departments and   Public Bodies) Bill (NIA Bill 21/17-22)

01/06/21

14/06/21

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Bill   (NIA Bill 22/17-22)

01/06/21

14/06/21

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

07/06/21

08/06/21

/

/

14/06/21

 

 

 

Local Government (Meetings and Performance)   Bill (NIA Bill 26/17-22)

14/06/21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

19/01/21

02/02/20

22/03/21

Assembly   Members (Remuneration Board) Bill

(NIA   Bill 13/17-22)

14/12/20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The   Severe Fetal Impairment Abortion (Amendment) Bill

(NIA   Bill 15/17-22)

16/02/21

15/03/21

19/11/21

 

 

 

 

 

Climate   Change Bill (NIA Bill 19/17-22)

22/03/21

10/05/21

17/12/21

 

 

 

 

 

The   Integrated Education Bill (NIA Bill 23/17-22)

01/06/21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Defamation   Bill (NIA Bill 25/17-22)

07/06/21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/ Bills progressing by accelerated passage

PROXY VOTING NOTICES – TUESDAY 15 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 Tuesday 15 June 2021:

Steve Aiken

Liz Kimmins

Andy Allen

Naomi Long

Martina Anderson

Gordon Lyons

Caoimhe Archibald

Séan Lynch

Kellie Armstrong

Chris Lyttle

Rosemary Barton

Nichola Mallon

John Blair

Declan McAleer

Cathal Boylan

Fra McCann

Maurice Bradley

Daniel McCrossan

Paula Bradley

Patsy McGlone

Nicola Brogan

Colin McGrath

Keith Buchanan

Philip McGuigan

Tom Buchanan

Maolíosa McHugh

Jonathan Buckley

Michelle McIlveen

Pat Catney

Sinead McLaughlin

Alan Chambers

Justin McNulty

Stewart Dickson

Gary Middleton

Linda Dillon

Andrew Muir

Jemma Dolan

Karen Mullan

Gordon Dunne

Conor Murphy

Mark Durkan

Mike Nesbitt

Alex Easton

Carál Ní Chuilín

Sinead Ennis

Michelle O’Neill

Órlaithí Flynn

Matthew O’Toole

Paul Frew

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

Claire Sugden  

Dolores Kelly

Robin Swann

Gerry Kelly

Peter Weir

 

Find MLAs

Find your MLAs

Locate MLAs

Search

News and Media Centre

Visit the News and Media Centre

Read press releases, watch live and archived video

Find out more

Follow the Assembly

Follow the Assembly on our social media channels

Keep up-to-date with the Assembly

Find out more

Useful Contacts

Contact us

Contacts for different parts of the Assembly

Contact Us