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 & |
First |
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) |
|
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 & |
First |
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 |