Minutes of Proceedings

Session: Session currently unavailable

Date: 18 May 2021

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

1. Prayers

Members observed two minutes' silence.


2. Matter of the Day

2.1 HMICFRS Inspection of the PSNI's Handling of the Bobby Storey Funeral

Mr Mervyn Storey, under Standing Order 24, made a statement on the HMICFRS Inspection of the PSNI's Handling of the Bobby Storey Funeral. Other Members were also called to speak on the matter.


3. Executive Committee Business

3.1 Motion: The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021

Proposed:

That the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 be approved.

The Executive Office

Motion: The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 3) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021

Proposed:

That the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 3) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 be approved.

The Executive Office

A single debate ensued on both motions.

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

The Question being put, the motion on the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 3) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 was carried.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Beggs, took the Chair.

4. Committee Business

4.1 Motion: Mental Health Awareness Week

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes that the week commencing 10 May was Mental Health Awareness Week, which annually provides the opportunity to highlight the importance of mental health; further notes the 2021 Health Inequalities Report which identified continuing mental health inequalities; recognises the detrimental impact that COVID-19 has had on the mental health and wellbeing of the population, including our children and young people; further recognises the positive public health campaigns around mental health, such as Take 5; advocates that people seek support to talk about their mental health; and supports the Minister of Health to achieve parity of esteem between mental and physical health by increasing spending on mental health services, fully implementing the Protect Life 2 strategy and progressing the 10 year Mental Health and Substance Use strategies.

Chairperson, Committee for Health

Debate ensued.

The sitting was suspended at 12.57pm.
The sitting resumed at 2.00pm, with the Principal Deputy Speaker in the Chair.

 

5. Question Time

5.1 Health

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Health, Mr Robin Swann.


6. Committee Business (Cont'd)

6.1 Motion: Mental Health Awareness Week (cont'd)

Debate resumed.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

The Speaker took the Chair.


7. Private Members' Business

7.1 Motion: Public Inquiry into the Murder of Human Rights Lawyer Pat Finucane

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes it is 31 years since the murder of human rights lawyer, Pat Finucane, and almost 20 years since the British Government committed to a full and independent public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the murder; further notes the Supreme Court ruling that there has not been an Article 2 compliant inquiry into the murder; is concerned at the refusal of the British Government to hold the public inquiry which it promised; is further concerned that the British Government's approach risks undermining wider confidence in the rule of law and the administration of justice; reiterates that a public inquiry is the most effective means to get the truth about the scope and extent of state collusion in this murder; urges the British Government, in the public interest, to reconsider its response to the Supreme Court ruling; recognises, on March 12th 2021, the reopening of supervision by the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers into the murder of Pat Finucane; further recognises the significance of this unusual step by the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers which acknowledged with profound concern the delay in ongoing legacy cases generally whilst resuming supervision of measures by the UK government in order to ensure they are adequate, sufficient and timely; calls on the British Government to establish the Historical Investigations Unit and the other Stormont House Agreement legacy mechanisms so that families of all victims have access to human rights compliant investigations; and further calls on the British Government to initiate the independent, public inquiry it promised to the family of Pat Finucane in 2001.

Mrs Michelle O'Neill
Mrs Dolores Kelly
Mr Gerry Kelly
Ms Linda Dillon

Debate ensued.

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

The Deputy Speaker, Mr McGlone, took the Chair.

8. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

Dr Steve Aiken spoke to his topic regarding Opposition to a waste incinerator from the residents of Hightown, Mallusk and South Antrim.

The Assembly adjourned at 5.42pm.

Mr Alex Maskey
The Speaker
18 May 2021

 

Northern Ireland Assembly

18 May 2021 - Division

Motion: Public Inquiry into the Murder of Human Rights Lawyer Pat Finucane

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes it is 31 years since the murder of human rights lawyer, Pat Finucane, and almost 20 years since the British Government committed to a full and independent public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the murder; further notes the Supreme Court ruling that there has not been an Article 2 compliant inquiry into the murder; is concerned at the refusal of the British Government to hold the public inquiry which it promised; is further concerned that the British Government's approach risks undermining wider confidence in the rule of law and the administration of justice; reiterates that a public inquiry is the most effective means to get the truth about the scope and extent of state collusion in this murder; urges the British Government, in the public interest, to reconsider its response to the Supreme Court ruling; recognises, on March 12th 2021, the reopening of supervision by the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers into the murder of Pat Finucane; further recognises the significance of this unusual step by the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers which acknowledged with profound concern the delay in ongoing legacy cases generally whilst resuming supervision of measures by the UK government in order to ensure they are adequate, sufficient and timely; calls on the British Government to establish the Historical Investigations Unit and the other Stormont House Agreement legacy mechanisms so that families of all victims have access to human rights compliant investigations; and further calls on the British Government to initiate the independent, public inquiry it promised to the family of Pat Finucane in 2001.

Mrs Michelle O'Neill
Mrs Dolores Kelly
Mr Gerry Kelly
Ms Linda Dillon

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 48
Noes: 38

AYES
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, Miss Woods.

Tellers for the Ayes: Ms Dillon, Ms Ennis.

NOES
Dr Aiken, Mr Allen, Mr Allister, Mrs Barton, Mr Beattie, 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 Stalford, Mr Stewart, Mr Storey, Mr Swann, Mr Weir.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Frew, Mr Nesbitt.

The motion was carried.

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 18 May 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

2019/20 Annual Report of the Certification Officer for Northern Ireland (Department for the Economy)

5. Assembly Reports

Report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules to the Assembly and the Appropriate Committees Thirty-Ninth Report of Session 2020 – 2021 (NIA 103/17-22) (Examiner of Statutory Rules)

6. Statutory Rules

For Information only

Revised Explanatory Memorandum for Draft SR The Renewables Obligation (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department for the Economy)


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 18 May 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

 

 

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

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

 

 

 

 

 

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

22/06/21

 

 

 

 

 


/ Bills progressing by accelerated passage

PROXY VOTING NOTICES – TUESDAY 18 MAY 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 18 May 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

Cathal Boylan

Declan McAleer

Paula Bradley

Fra McCann

Sinead Bradley

Daniel McCrossan

Paula Bradshaw

Patsy McGlone

Nicola Brogan

Philip McGuigan

Tom Buchanan

Maolíosa McHugh

Joanne Bunting

Sinead McLaughlin

Pat Catney

Justin McNulty

Alan Chambers

Gary Middleton

Stewart Dickson

Andrew Muir

Linda Dillon

Karen Mullan

Diane Dodds

Conor Murphy

Jemma Dolan

Mike Nesbitt

Gordon Dunne

Robin Newton

Mark Durkan

Carál Ní Chuilín

Alex Easton

Michelle O’Neill

Sinead Ennis

Matthew O’Toole

Arlene Foster

Edwin Poots

Órlaithí Flynn

George Robinson

Colm Gildernew

Emma Rogan

Paul Givan

Pat Sheehan

Deirdre Hargey

Emma Sheerin

Harry Harvey

Christopher Stalford

Cara Hunter

John Stewart

William Irwin

Mervyn Storey

Declan Kearney

Robin Swann

Dolores Kelly

Peter Weir

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