Minutes of Proceedings

The Assembly met at noon, the Speaker in the Chair.

1. Prayers

Members observed two minutes' silence.

2. Speaker's Business

Member Resignation

The Speaker informed Members that he had received letters of resignation from both Ms Martina Anderson and Ms Karen Mullan as Members of the Assembly for the Foyle constituency with effect from 9.00am on 13 September 2021.

New Members

The Speaker informed Members of notification from the Chief Electoral Officer that both Ms Ciara Ferguson and Mr Pádraig Delargy had been returned as Members for the Foyle constituency.

Ms Ferguson and Mr Delargy gave the undertaking, signed the Roll of Membership and entered their designation in the presence of the Speaker and the Clerk/Chief Executive at 11.00am this morning.

3. Matter of the Day

3.1 Death of Pat Hume

Ms Nichola Mallon, under Standing Order 24, made a statement on the Death of Pat Hume. Other Members were also called to speak on the matter.

4. Members' Statements

Under Standing Order 24A, the following Members made a statement to the Assembly;

Ms Linda Dillon

Mr Christopher Stalford

Mr Mark Durkan

Dr Steve Aiken

Mr Stewart Dickson

Mr Jim Allister

Mr Paul Frew

Mr Colm Gildernew

Mr Chris Lyttle

Mr Gerry Carroll

Mr Patsy McGlone

5. Assembly Business

5.1 Motion: Committee Membership

Proposed:

That Ms Paula Bradshaw replace Ms Kellie Armstrong as a member of the Business Committee.

Mr Andrew Muir
Mr Stewart Dickson

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

5.2 Motion: Committee Membership

Proposed:

That Ms Áine Murphy replace Ms Sinéad Ennis as a member of the Committee for Communities.

Mr John O'Dowd
Ms Sinéad Ennis

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

6. Executive Committee Business

6.1 Second Stage: Justice (Sexual Offences and Trafficking Victims) Bill (NIA Bill 29/17-22)

The Minister of Justice, Mrs Naomi Long, moved the Second Stage of the Justice (Sexual Offences and Trafficking Victims) Bill (NIA Bill 29/17-22).

Debate ensued.

The debate stood suspended for Question Time, the Speaker took the Chair.

7. Question Time

7.1 The Executive Office

Questions were put to, and answered by, the First Minister, Mr Paul Givan. The junior Minister, Mr Gary Middleton, also answered a number of questions.

7.2 Justice

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Justice, Mrs Naomi Long.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr McGlone, took the Chair.

8. Executive Committee Business (cont'd)

8.1 Second Stage: Justice (Sexual Offences and Trafficking Victims) Bill (NIA Bill 29/17-22)
(cont'd)

Debate resumed.

The Justice (Sexual Offences and Trafficking Victims) Bill (NIA Bill 29/17-22) passed Second Stage.

9. Assembly Business

9.1 Motion: Extension of Sitting on Monday 13 September 2021 under Standing Order 10(3A)

Proposed:

That, in accordance with Standing Order 10(3A), the sitting on Monday 13 September 2021 be extended to no later than 8:00pm.

Mr John O'Dowd
Ms Joanne Bunting
Mrs Dolores Kelly
Mr Robbie Butler
Mr Andrew Muir
Ms Clare Bailey

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Beggs, took the Chair.

10. Executive Committee Business

10.1 Second Stage: Private Tenancies Bill (NIA Bill 32/17-22)

The Minister for Communities, Ms Deirdre Hargey, moved the Second Stage of the Private Tenancies Bill (NIA Bill 32/17-22).

Debate ensued.

The Private Tenancies Bill (NIA Bill 32/17-22) passed Second Stage.

11. Private Members' Business

11.1 First Stage: Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Bill (NIA Bill 35/17-22)

Ms Clare Bailey introduced a bill to make provision in respect of safe access zones for premises providing abortion services.

The Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Bill (NIA Bill 35/17-22) passed First Stage and was ordered to be printed.

12. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 6.19pm.

Mr Alex Maskey
The Speaker
13 September 2021

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 10 September 2021 to 13 September 2021.

1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly

2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly

Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Bill (NIA Bill 35/17-22)

3. Orders in Council

4. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

Northern Ireland Local Government Officers' Superannuation Committee 2020-21 Annual Report and Accounts (Department for Communities)

Legislative Consent Memorandum for the Environment Bill (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)

5. Assembly Reports

6. Statutory Rules

SR 2021/249 The Universal Credit (Childcare Costs) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department for Communities)

SR 2021/250 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings) (Amendment No. 5) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department of Health)

SR 2021/251 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 15) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department of Health)

For information only

SR 2021/247 (C.9) The Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) (2021 Act) (Commencement No.1) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department for Communities)

7. Written Ministerial Statements

8. Consultation Documents

9. Departmental Publications

10. Agency Publications

11. Westminster Publications

12. Miscellaneous Publications

PROXY VOTING NOTICES – MONDAY 13 SEPTEMBER 2021

The following Members notified the Speaker, under Standing Order 112, that they wished to avail of proxy voting arrangements for the sitting on Monday 13 September 2021: