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

Member Resignation

The Speaker informed Members that he had received a letter of resignation from Mr Fra McCann as a Member of the Assembly for the West Belfast constituency with effect from 9.00am on 19 October 2021.

New Member

The Speaker informed Members he had received notification from the Chief Electoral Officer that Miss Aisling Reilly had been returned as a Member of the Assembly for the West Belfast constituency.

Miss Reilly gave the undertaking, signed the Roll of Membership and entered her designation in the presence of the Speaker and the Clerk/Chief Executive this morning.

3. Matter of the Day

3.1 Death of Dennis Hutchings

Mr Doug Beattie, under Standing Order 24, made a statement on the Death of Dennis Hutchings. Other Members were also called to speak on the matter.

3.2 Waiting Times for Children's Red Flag Cancer Referrals

Mr Colin McGrath, under Standing Order 24, made a statement on Waiting Times for Children's Red Flag Cancer Referrals. Other Members were also called to speak on the matter.

4. Ministerial Statement

4.1 Autumn / Winter Contingency Plan

The First Minister, Mr Paul Givan, made a statement regarding the Autumn / Winter Contingency Plan, following which he replied to questions.

5. Committee Business

5.1 Motion: Extension of Committee Stage – Defamation Bill (NIA Bill 25/17-22)

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 Defamation Bill.

Chairperson, Committee for Finance

Debate ensued.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Beggs, took the Chair.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

5.2 Motion: Extension of Committee Stage – Private Tenancies Bill (NIA Bill 32/17-22)

Proposed:

That, in accordance with Standing Order 33(4), the period referred to in Standing Order 33(2) be extended to 14 January 2022, in relation to the Committee Stage of the Private Tenancies Bill.

Chairperson, Committee for Communities

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

5.3 Motion: Extension of Committee Stage – Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 36/17-22)

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 Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Amendment) Bill.

Chairperson, Committee for Communities

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

5.4 Motion: Extension of Committee Stage - Justice (Sexual Offences and Trafficking Victims) Bill (NIA Bill 29/17-22)

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 Justice (Sexual Offences and Trafficking Victims) Bill.

Chairperson, Committee for Justice

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

6. Private Members' Business

6.1 First Stage: Domestic Abuse (Safe Leave) Bill (NIA Bill 41/17-22)

Miss Rachel Woods introduced a Bill to make provision for an entitlement to paid safe leave for victims of domestic abuse; and for connected purposes.

The Domestic Abuse (Safe Leave) Bill (NIA Bill 41/17-22) passed First Stage and was ordered to be printed.

6.2 Motion: Stability of Institutions and Referral to the Assembly and Executive Review
Committee

Proposed:

That this Assembly affirms the importance of the stability of these institutions in order to deliver for the people of Northern Ireland; refers to the Assembly and Executive Review Committee under Standing Order 59(3)(b) consideration of the matter of replacing the current cross-community voting system, which is based on community designations, with a weighted majority system free from designations, to be used in place of cross-community voting in the circumstances specified in the Northern Ireland Act 1998 or when a reformed Petition of Concern is invoked; and agrees that the Committee should report on the outcome of this consideration to the Assembly before the end of this mandate.

Ms Kellie Armstrong
Mr Andrew Muir
Ms Paula Bradshaw
Mr Chris Lyttle

Amendment 1

Proposed:

Leave out all after the 'Northern Ireland;' and insert:

'recognises the growing numbers of people in our community who do not primarily identify as unionist or nationalist; acknowledges that the votes of those they elect are not currently treated equally within these institutions; further acknowledges that the system of designations perpetuates division, inequality, and instability; welcomes work initiated by the Assembly and Executive Review Committee to consider of the matter of replacing the current cross-community voting system, which is based on community designations, with a weighted majority system free from designations, to be used in place of cross-community voting in the circumstances specified in the Northern Ireland Act 1998 or when a reformed Petition of Concern is invoked; calls on the Committee to report on the outcome of this consideration to the Assembly before the end of this mandate; and further calls on the UK Government to legislate to make provision for such alternative arrangements at the earliest opportunity.'

Ms Kellie Armstrong
Mr Andrew Muir
Mr John Blair

Amendment 2

Proposed:

Leave out all after 'Northern Ireland;' and insert:

'notes the strong case for reviewing and supplementing designation-related voting, elections and appointments in the Northern Ireland Assembly with additional measures commensurate with wide community support; refers to the Assembly and Executive Review Committee under Standing Order 59(3)(b) consideration of additional voting procedures which maintain the integrity of the Good Friday Agreement while establishing options for weighted majority voting beyond designations; further refers for consideration the restoration of joint election of the First Minister and deputy First Minister in line with the Good Friday Agreement; and agrees that the Committee should report on the outcome of this consideration to the Assembly before the end of this mandate.'

Mr Colin McGrath
Mrs Dolores Kelly
Mr Mark Durkan

Debate ensued.

The sitting was suspended at 12.59pm.

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

7. Question Time

7.1 Health

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

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Beggs, took the Chair.

7.2 Communities

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister for Communities, Ms Deirdre Hargey.

8. Private Members' Business (cont'd)

8.1 Motion: Stability of Institutions and Referral to the Assembly and Executive Review Committee (cont'd)

Debate resumed.

The Speaker took the Chair.

The Question being put, amendment 1 was made.

The Question being put, the motion as amended was carried.

8.2 Motion: Impact of Department for Infrastructure Planning Guidance on Rural Communities

Proposed:

That this Assembly acknowledges that the planning system must be sustainable while also working for our rural communities; notes with concern the recent publication by the Department for Infrastructure of Planning Advice Note: Implementation of Strategic Planning Policy on Development in the Countryside; further notes the concerns expressed by the Ulster Farmers' Union regarding the new planning guidance; recognises that the new guidance could have a significant negative impact for many people hoping to live in the countryside; and calls on the Minister for Infrastructure to withdraw, immediately, the Planning Advice Note and to engage meaningfully with local councils regarding the very real concerns of people in our rural communities.

Ms Emma Sheerin
Ms Linda Dillon
Mr Philip McGuigan
Mr Declan McAleer

Debate ensued.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr McGlone, took the Chair.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

The Speaker took the Chair.

9. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

Ms Joanne Bunting spoke to her topic regarding Social Housing Need in East Belfast.

The Assembly adjourned at 6.33pm.

Mr Alex Maskey
The Speaker
19 October 2021

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 19 October 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

Continuous Improvement Arrangements in Policing (Northern Ireland Audit Office)

5. Assembly Reports

6. Statutory Rules

7. Written Ministerial Statements

8. Consultation Documents

9. Departmental Publications

10. Agency Publications

Northern Ireland Practice and Education Council for Nursing and Midwifery Annual Report and Accounts 2020/21 (Northern Ireland Practice and Education Council for Nursing and Midwifery)

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 19 October 2021

2017-2022 Mandate
Executive Bills           

2017-2022 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills          

/ Bills progressing by accelerated passage

PROXY VOTING NOTICES – TUESDAY 19 OCTOBER 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 19 October 2021: