Minutes of Proceedings

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

1. Prayers

Members observed two minutes' silence.

2. Matter of the Day

2.1 Death of Austin Currie

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

3. Members' Statements

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

Ms Carál Ní Chuilín

Mr Jonathan Buckley

Mr Colin McGrath

Dr Steve Aiken

Ms Paula Bradshaw

Mr Jim Allister

Dr Caoimhe Archibald

Mr Paul Frew

Mrs Dolores Kelly

Mr Andrew Muir

Mr Colm Gildernew

Mrs Diane Dodds

4. Public Petition

4.1 Improved Addiction, Rehab and Crisis Services - Jack's Promise

Ms Órlaithí Flynn was granted leave, in accordance with Standing Order 22, to present a Public Petition regarding Improved Addiction, Rehab and Crisis Services - Jack's Promise.

5. Ministerial Statement

5.1 Report on the Independent Investigation into Mother and Baby Institutions / Magdalene Laundries

The deputy First Minister, Mrs Michelle O'Neill, made a statement regarding the Report on the Independent Investigation into Mother and Baby Institutions / Magdalene Laundries, following which she replied to questions.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr McGlone, took the Chair.

5.2 British-Irish Council Transport Meeting

The Minister for Infrastructure, Ms Nichola Mallon, made a statement regarding the recent British-Irish Council Transport Meeting.

The statement stood suspended for Question Time.

The Speaker took the Chair.

6. Question Time

6.1 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.

6.2 Education

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Education, Miss Michelle McIlveen.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr McGlone, took the Chair.

7. Ministerial Statement (cont'd)

7.1 British-Irish Council Transport Meeting (cont'd)

Having made a statement prior to Question Time, the Minister for Infrastructure, Ms Nichola Mallon, replied to questions.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Beggs, took the Chair.

8. Executive Committee Business

8.1 First Stage: Non-domestic Rates Valuations (Coronavirus) Bill (NIA Bill 44/17-22)

The Minister of Finance, Mr Conor Murphy, introduced a Bill to vary the application of Article 39A of the Rates (Northern Ireland) Order 1977 in consequence of matters attributable to coronavirus; and to confer power to make equivalent provision for other infections or contaminations.

The Non-domestic Rates Valuations (Coronavirus) Bill (NIA Bill 44/17-22) passed First Stage and was ordered to be printed.

8.2 First Stage: Animal Welfare (Service Animals) Bill (NIA Bill 45/17-22)

The Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Mr Edwin Poots, introduced a Bill to amend the Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 in relation to service animals.

The Animal Welfare (Service Animals) Bill (NIA Bill 45/17-22) passed First Stage and was ordered to be printed.

9. Assembly Business

9.1 Motion: Extension of Sitting on Monday 15 November 2021 under Standing Order 10(3A)

Proposed:

That, in accordance with Standing Order 10(3A), the sitting on Monday 15 November 2021 be extended to no later than 9:00pm.

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.

10. Executive Committee Business (cont'd)

10.1 Consideration Stage: Damages (Return on Investment) Bill (NIA Bill 16/17-22)

The Minister of Justice, Mrs Naomi Long, moved the Consideration Stage of the Damages (Return on Investment) Bill.

One amendment was tabled to the Bill and selected for debate.

Clauses

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

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clause 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 Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

Debate ensued.

Schedule

After debate, Amendment 1 to the Schedule was negatived without division.

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

Long Title

The question being put, the Long Title was agreed without division.

The Damages (Return on Investment) Bill (NIA Bill 16/17-22) stood referred to the Speaker.

10.2 Legislative Consent Motion: Health and Care Bill 2021 – Medicine Information Systems

Proposed:

That this Assembly endorses the principle of the extension to Northern Ireland of the provisions within the Health and Care Bill dealing with medicine information systems, that will allow an amendment to the Medicines and Medical Devices Act 2021, to enable information systems in relation to human medicines to be established and managed by the Health and Social Care Information Centre, and will align section 19 of the Medicines and Medical Devices Act 2021 that deals with Medical Devices Information Systems with the new provisions for a Medicines Information System.

Minister of Health

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

10.3 Legislative Consent Motion: Health and Care Bill 2021 – International Health Arrangements

Proposed:

That this Assembly endorses the principle of the extension to Northern Ireland of the provisions within the Health and Care Bill to amend a power which could allow the Secretary of State to make regulations to implement the administration of international healthcare agreements.

Minister of Health

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

10.4 Legislative Consent Motion: Health and Care Bill 2021 – Regulation of Healthcare and Associated Professions

Proposed:

That this Assembly agrees that the relevant provisions of the Health and Care Bill, introduced into the House of Commons on 6 July 2021, to make provision for widening the scope of the use of section 60 of the Health Act 1999, so far as these matters fall within the legislative competence of the Northern Ireland Assembly, should be considered by the UK Parliament.

Minister of Health

Debate ensued.

The Speaker, took the Chair.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

11. Private Members' Business

11.1 First Stage: Employment (Zero Hours Workers and Banded Weekly Working Hours) Bill (NIA Bill 46/17-22)

Ms Jemma Dolan introduced a Bill to make provision in respect of zero hours workers and banded weekly working hours.

The Employment (Zero Hours Workers and Banded Weekly Working Hours) Bill (NIA Bill 46/17-22) passed First Stage and was ordered to be printed.

12. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 5.55pm.

Mr Alex Maskey
The Speaker
15 November 2021

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 10 November 2021 to 15 November 2021.

1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly

2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly

Non-domestic Rates Valuations (Coronavirus) Bill (NIA Bill 44/17-22)

Animal Welfare (Service Animals) Bill (NIA Bill 45/17-22)

Employment (Zero Hours Workers and Banded Weekly Working Hours) Bill (NIA Bill 46/17-22)

3. Orders in Council

4. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

5. Assembly Reports

Report on the Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Bill (NIA 125/17-22) (Committee for the Economy)

Report on Decarbonising Northern Ireland's Road Transport: Report of Evidence (NIA 136/17-22) (Committee for Infrastructure)

Report on Legislative Consent Memorandums on the UK Government Health and Care Bill (NIA 141/17-22) (Committee for Health)

Addendum to the Report on the Health and Social Care Bill (NIA 87/17-22) (Committee for Health)

6. Statutory Rules

SR 2021/299 The General Register Office (Fees) Amendment Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department of Finance)

7. Written Ministerial Statements

8. Consultation Documents

Consultation on Amending Options for the Assessment of Technical Competence under the Northern Ireland Waste Management Licensing and Permitting Regime (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)

9. Departmental Publications

Coronavirus Act 2020 Temporary Modifications of Education Duties (No. 36) Notice (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department of Education)

10. Agency Publications

11. Westminster Publications

12. Miscellaneous Publications

PROXY VOTING NOTICES – MONDAY 15 NOVEMBER 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 15 November 2021:

^ Holds DUP Proxy until 5pm.

* Holds DUP Proxy after 5pm.