Minutes of Proceedings

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

1. Prayers

Members observed two minutes' silence.

2 Public Petition

2.1 Extend the High Street Voucher Scheme to 16 and 17 year-olds

Mr Pádraig Delargy was granted leave, in accordance with Standing Order 22, to present a Public Petition to Extend the High Street Voucher Scheme to 16 and 17 year-olds.

3. Executive Committee Business

3.1 Consideration Stage: Health and Social Care Bill (NIA Bill 18/17-22)

Minister of Health

The Minister of Health, Mr Robin Swann, moved the Consideration Stage of the Health and Social Care Bill.

Seven amendments were tabled to the Bill and accepted 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.

Debate ensued.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr McGlone, took the Chair.

After debate, Amendment 1 inserting new clause 'Continuation of Local Commissioning Groups' was made and it was agreed that the new clause stand part of the Bill.

After debate, Amendment 2 inserting new clause 'Duty to establish bodies for local areas' was made and it was agreed that the new clause stand part of the Bill.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clauses 3 to 5 stand part of the Bill.

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

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clause 6, as amended, stand part of the Bill.

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

After debate, Amendment 4 to Schedule 1 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 5 to Schedule 1 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 6 to Schedule 1 was made without division.

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

After debate, Amendment 7 inserting new schedule 'Local Commissioning Groups' was made and it was agreed that the new schedule stand part of the Bill.

Long Title

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

The Health and Social Care Bill (NIA Bill 18/17-22) stood referred to the Speaker.

3.2 Motion: The Local Government Auditor's Draft Code of Audit Practice 2021

Proposed:

That the Local Government Auditor's Draft Code of Audit Practice 2021 be approved.

Minister for Communities

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

3.3 Second Stage: Support for Mortgage Interest etc (Security for Loans) Bill (NIA Bill 42/17-22)

Minister for Communities

The Minister for Communities, Ms Deirdre Hargey, moved Second Stage of the Support for Mortgage Interest etc (Security for Loans) Bill (NIA Bill 42/17-22).

Debate ensued.

The Support for Mortgage Interest etc (Security for Loans) Bill (NIA Bill 42/17-22) passed Second Stage.

The sitting was suspended at 12.44pm.

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

4. Question Time

4.1 Finance

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

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Beggs, took the Chair.

5. Executive Committee Business (cont'd)

5.1 Consideration Stage: Horse Racing (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 20/17-22)

Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

The Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Mr Edwin Poots, moved the Consideration Stage of the Horse Racing (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 20/17-22).

Two 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.

Debate ensued.

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

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

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clause 4 stand part of the Bill.

After debate, Amendment 2 inserting new clause 'Transitional and supplementary provision' was made without division and it was agreed that the new clause stand part of the Bill.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clauses 5 and 6 stand part of the Bill.

Long Title

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

The Horse Racing (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 20/17-22) stood referred to the Speaker.

6. Committee Business

6.1 Motion: Extension of Committee Stage – Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Bill (NIA Bill 35/17-22)

Proposed:

That, in accordance with Standing Order 33(4), the period referred to in Standing Order 33(2) be extended to 28 January 2022, in relation to the Committee Stage of the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Bill.

Chairperson, Committee for Health

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 3.24pm.

Mr Alex Maskey
The Speaker
16 November 2021

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 16 November 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

5. Assembly Reports

6. Statutory Rules

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 16 November 2021

2017-2022 Mandate
Executive Bills          

2017-2022 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills              

/ Bills progressing by accelerated passage

PROXY VOTING NOTICES – TUESDAY 16 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 Tuesday 16 November 2021: