Minutes of Proceedings

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

1. Prayers

Members observed two minutes' silence.

2. Speaker's Business

2.1 Social-distancing Arrangements

The Speaker advised Members that, in light of the Executive's decision to ease social-distancing restrictions, the Business Committee had agreed that social distancing in the Chamber for Question Time, questions for Urgent Oral answer and Ministerial Statements would be reduced to one metre. For all other items of Business, social distancing remains at two metres.

3. Members' Statements

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

Mr Padraig Delargy

Mr Stephen Dunne

Ms Sinéad McLaughlin

Ms Paula Bradshaw

Ms Clare Bailey

Mr Trevor Lunn

Ms Liz Kimmins

Mrs Deborah Erskine

Ms Nichola Mallon

Mr Andrew Muir

Mr Colm Gildernew

4. Assembly Business

4.1 Motion: Suspension of Standing Orders 10(2) to 10(4)

Proposed:

That Standing Orders 10(2) to 10(4) be suspended for 31 January 2022.

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 with cross-community support.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

5. Ministerial Statement

5.1 Rural Policy Framework for Northern Ireland

The Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Mr Edwin Poots, made a statement regarding a Rural Policy Framework for Northern Ireland, following which he replied to questions.

6. Executive Committee Business

6.1 First Stage: School Age Bill (NIA Bill 52/17-22)

The Minister of Education, Miss Michelle McIlveen, introduced a Bill to amend the meaning of "compulsory school age" in the Education Orders.

The School Age Bill (NIA Bill 52/17-22) passed First Stage and was ordered to be printed.

6.2 Motion: The draft Welfare Supplementary Payment (Extension) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022

Proposed:

That the draft Welfare Supplementary Payment (Extension) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 be approved.

Minister for Communities

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

6.3 Further Consideration Stage: Charities Bill (NIA Bill 27/17-22)

The Minister for Communities, Ms Deirdre Hargey, moved the Further Consideration Stage of the Charities Bill (NIA Bill 27/17-22).

No amendments were tabled to the Bill.

The Charities Bill (NIA Bill 27/17-22) stood referred to the Speaker for consideration in accordance with Section 10 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

6.4 Legislative Consent Motion: Public Service Pensions and Judicial Offices Bill

Proposed:

That this Assembly endorses the proposed amendments tabled in relation to the Public Service Pensions and Judicial Offices Bill in the House of Commons on 6 January 2022 to extend to Northern Ireland changes to the employer cost cap for public service pension schemes.

Minister of Finance

Debate ensued.

The debate stood suspended for Question Time.

The Speaker took the Chair.

7. Question Time

7.1 Finance

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Finance, Mr Conor Murphy.

7.2 Health

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

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Beggs, took the Chair.

8. Executive Committee Business (cont'd)

8.1 Legislative Consent Motion: Public Service Pensions and Judicial Offices Bill

Debate resumed.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

9. Private Members' Business

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

Ms Jemma Dolan moved Second Stage of the Employment (Zero Hours Workers and Banded Weekly Working Hours) Bill (NIA Bill 46/17-22).

Debate ensued.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr McGlone, took the Chair.

The Employment (Zero Hours Workers and Banded Weekly Working Hours) Bill (NIA Bill 46/17-22) passed Second Stage.

10. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 5.29pm.

Mr Alex Maskey
The Speaker
31 January 2022

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 26 January 2022 to 31 January 2022.

1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly

2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly

School Age Bill (NIA Bill 52/17-22)

3. Orders in Council

4. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

Legislative Consent Memorandum on the Health and Care Bill (Information About Payments etc. to Persons in the Health Care Sector) (Department of Health)

Legislative Consent Memorandum on the Health and Care Bill (Part 3 Arm's Length Bodies – Transfer of Functions Provision) (Department of Health)

A Review into the Operation of Care and Supervision Units in the Northern Ireland Prison Service. (Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland)

The Department for Communities Social Fund Account for the
year ended 31 March 2021 (Northern Ireland Audit Office)

Legislative Consent Memorandum - Health and Care Bill (To Ban Virginity Testing and Hymenoplasty) (Department of Health)

5. Assembly Reports

Committee for Health Report on the Adoption and Children Bill (NIA 132/17-22) (Committee for Health)

Committee for Health Report on the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Bill (NIA 133/17-22) (Committee for Health)

Report on the Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Amendment) Bill (NIA 155/17-22) (Committee for Communities)

Report on the Review of the Governance and Accountability Arrangements for the Northern Ireland Audit Office and the Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman (NIA 158/17-22) (Audit Committee)

Report on the Committee Stage of the Defamation Bill (NIA 161/17-22) (Committee for Finance)

Committee for Justice Report on the Justice (Sexual Offences and Trafficking Victims) Bill (NIA 165/17-22) (Committee for Justice)

Report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules to the Assembly and the Appropriate Committees Eleventh Report of Session 2021 – 2022 (NIA 170/17-22) (Examiner of Statutory Rules)

6. Statutory Rules

SR 2022/15 - The Housing Benefit and Universal Credit Housing Costs (Executive Determinations) (Amendment and Modification) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 (Department for Communities)

SR 2022/16 - The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 3) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 (Department of Health)

SR 2022/17 - The Rates (Making and Levying of Different Rates) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 (Department of Finance)

SR 2022/18 - The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 (Department of Health)

SR 2022/21 The Ardmillan Gardens, Bangor (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2022/22 The Footway to the rear of Quadrant Place, near Albert Street, Belfast (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2022/24 The Coronavirus Act 2020 (Extension of Provision Related to Courts, Tribunals and Inquests) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022 (Department of Justice)

For information only

Explanatory Memorandum for SR 2022/16 - The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 3) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 (Department of Health)

SR 2022/19 - The Parking Places (Disabled Persons' Vehicles) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2022/20 The Parking and Waiting Restrictions (Londonderry) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2022/23 The Grants to Water and Sewerage Undertakers Order (Northern Ireland) 2022 (Department for Infrastructure)

7. Written Ministerial Statements

Launch of Public Consultation on the Draft Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland (First Minister and deputy First Minister)

8. Consultation Documents

9. Departmental Publications

DfI Roads Northern Division Interim Report to Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council Autumn 2021 (Department for Infrastructure)

DfI Roads Northern Division Interim Report to Mid and East Antrim Borough Council Autumn 2021 (Department for Infrastructure)

DfI Roads Northern Division Interim Report to Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Autumn 2021 (Department for Infrastructure)

10. Agency Publications

11. Westminster Publications

12. Miscellaneous Publications

PROXY VOTING NOTICES – MONDAY 31 JANUARY 2022

The following Members notified the Speaker, under Standing Order 112, that they wished to avail of proxy voting arrangements for the sitting on Monday 31 January 2022:

*John Blair stipulated that he wished to avail of proxy voting arrangements between 2:00pm – 5:00pm on 31 January 2022.

**Paula Bradshaw stipulated that she wished to avail of proxy voting arrangements outside the hours of 2:00pm – 5:00pm on 31 January 2022.