Minutes of Proceedings

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

1. Prayers

Members observed two minutes' silence.

2. Speaker's Business

The Speaker informed Members that Mr Gary Middleton would not introduce the Adjournment topic at the conclusion of the day's business, and that the sitting would adjourn immediately after the motion to approve the corporate insolvency regulations.

3. Matter of the Day

3.1 Centenary of Northern Ireland

Mr Jim Allister, under Standing Order 24, made a statement on the Centenary of Northern Ireland. Other Members were also called to speak on the matter.

4. Executive Committee Business

4.1 Consideration Stage: Pension Schemes Bill (NIA Bill 7/17-22)

Minister for Communities

The Minister for Communities, Ms Deirdre Hargey, moved the Consideration Stage of the Pension Schemes Bill (NIA 7/17-22).

Twenty amendments were tabled to the Bill and selected for debate.

Clauses

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clauses 1 and 2 stand part of the Bill.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clauses 3 to 6 stand part of the Bill.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clauses 7 to 12 stand part of the Bill.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clauses 13 to 19 stand part of the Bill.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clauses 20 to 33 stand part of the Bill.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clauses 34 and 35 stand part of the Bill.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clauses 36 to 40 stand part of the Bill.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clause 41 stand part of the Bill.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clauses 42 to 45 stand part of the Bill.

Schedules

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Schedule 1 stand part of the Bill.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Schedule 2 stand part of the Bill.

After debate, Amendment 1 to Schedule 3 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 2 to Schedule 3 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 3 to Schedule 3 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 4 to Schedule 3 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 5 to Schedule 3 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 6 to Schedule 3 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 7 to Schedule 3 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 8 to Schedule 3 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 9 to Schedule 3 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 10 to Schedule 3 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 11 to Schedule 3 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 12 to Schedule 3 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 13 to Schedule 3 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 14 to Schedule 3 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 15 to Schedule 3 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 16 to Schedule 3 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 17 to Schedule 3 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 18 to Schedule 3 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 19 to Schedule 3 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 20 to Schedule 3 was made without division.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Schedule 3, as amended, stand part of the Bill.

Long Title

The question being put, it was agreed without division that the Long Title stand part of the Bill.

NIA Bill 07/17-2 stood referred to the Speaker.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

4.2 Motion: The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (Amendment No. 6) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021

Proposed:

That the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (Amendment No. 6) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 be approved.

The Executive Office

Motion: The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (Amendment No. 7) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021

Proposed:

That the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (Amendment No. 7) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 be approved.

The Executive Office

Motion: The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021

Proposed:

That the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 be approved.

The Executive Office

Motion: The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021

Proposed:

That the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 be approved.

The Executive Office

Motion: The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021

Proposed:

That the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 be approved.

The Executive Office

A single debate ensued on all five motions.

The Question being put, the motion on the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (Amendment No. 6) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 was carried.

The Question being put, the motion on the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (Amendment No. 7) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 was carried.

The Question being put, the motion on the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 was carried.

The Question being put, the motion on the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 was carried.

The Question being put, the motion on the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 was carried.

The sitting was suspended at 12.50pm.

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

5. Question Time

5.1 The Executive Office

Questions were put to, and answered by, the deputy First Minister, Mrs Michelle O'Neill. The junior Minister, Mr Declan Kearney, also answered a number of questions.

5.2 Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Mr Edwin Poots.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr McGlone, took the Chair.

6. Executive Committee Business (Cont'd)

6.1 Motion: The Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 (Coronavirus) (Amendment of Certain Relevant Periods) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021

Proposed:

That the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 (Coronavirus) (Amendment of Certain Relevant Periods) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 be approved.

Minister for the Economy

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

7. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 3.45pm.

Mr Alex Maskey
The Speaker
4 May 2021

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 28 April 2021 to 4 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

CJI Business Plan incorporating the Inspection Programme for 2021-22 (Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland)

5. Assembly Reports

Report on Capacity and Capability in the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NIA 97/17-22) (Public Accounts Committee)

Report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules to the Assembly and the Appropriate Committees Thirty-sixth Report of Session 2020 – 2021 (NIA 98/17-22) (Examiner of Statutory Rules)

6. Statutory Rules

SR 2021/114 The Departments (Transfer of Functions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 (The Executive Office)

SR 2021/115 The Damages (Personal Injury) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department of Justice)

SR 2021/116 The Rates (Coronavirus) (Emergency Relief) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department of Finance)

SR 2021/117 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 3) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department of Health)

For information only

Explanatory Memorandum for SR 2021/109 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department of Health)

SR 2021/113 (C.2) The Public Services Ombudsman Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (Commencement) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Assembly Commission)

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 4 May 2021

2017-2022 Mandate
Executive Bills                

2017-2022 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills                

/ Bills progressing by accelerated passage

PROXY VOTING NOTICES – TUESDAY 4 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 4 May 2021: