Minutes of Proceedings

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

1. Prayers

Members observed two minutes' silence.

2. Executive Committee Business

2.1 Motion: The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 16) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021

Proposed:

That the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 16) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 be approved.

Minister of Health

Motion: The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 17) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021

Proposed:

That the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 17) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 be approved.

Minister of Health

Motion: The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings) (Amendment No. 6) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021

Proposed:

That the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings) (Amendment No. 6) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 be approved.

Minister of Health

A single debate ensued on all three motions.

The Question being put, the motion on the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 16) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 was carried.

The Question being put, the motion on the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 17) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 was carried.

The Question being put, the motion on the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings) (Amendment No. 6) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 was carried.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr McGlone, took the Chair.

3. Private Members' Business

3.1 Motion: Rising Energy Costs

Proposed:

That this Assembly recognises the rising cost of energy; expresses concern at the effect these rising costs are having on those on low incomes; acknowledges that the increased cost of living combined with the financial pressures arising from the end of furlough and the removal of the £20 Universal Credit weekly uplift will leave many potentially unable to heat their homes this winter; and calls on the Minister of Finance, the Minister for the Economy and the Minister for Communities to work together to create a means-tested winter energy emergency fund to help those in need.

Dr Steve Aiken
Mr Mike Nesbitt

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

The sitting was suspended at 12.51pm.

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

4. Question Time

4.1 Justice

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

5. Question for Urgent Oral Answer

5.1 Pressures on Emergency Departments and the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service

The Minister of Health, Mr Robin Swann, responded to a Question for Urgent Oral Answer tabled by Mrs Pam Cameron.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Beggs, took the Chair.

6. Private Members' Business (cont'd)

6.1 Motion: Housing Crisis

Proposed:

That this Assembly recognises the severe impact that the housing crisis, which has made housing unaffordable for many and placed home ownership out of reach for a generation of young people, has had on people and families across Northern Ireland; notes that the average price of housing in Northern Ireland has increased by 30 per cent since 2016; further notes that the cost of renting has increased by 25 per cent since 2016 and this is having a material impact on the capacity of people to save the deposit needed to secure a home; regrets that the First Minister and deputy First Minister have yet to publish a Programme for Government with a specific housing outcome, supplemented with relevant indicators; and calls on the Minister for Communities to increase the supply of social and affordable housing in recognition that the security of a home has an immediate impact on the health and wellbeing of citizens.

Mr Mark Durkan
Mrs Dolores Kelly
Mr Colin McGrath
Ms Cara Hunter

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

The Speaker took the Chair.

7. Ministerial Statement

7.1 High Street Scheme

The Minister for the Economy, Mr Gordon Lyons, made a statement regarding the High Street Scheme, following which he replied to questions.

8. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

Mr Andrew Muir spoke to his topic regarding Water Quality and Safety at North Down Coastal Bathing Areas.

The Assembly adjourned at 6.32pm.

Mr Alex Maskey
The Speaker
2 November 2021

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 2 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

Revised Legislative Consent Memorandum for PART 5 Professional Regulation (UK Health and Care Bill) (Department of Health)

5. Assembly Reports

6. Statutory Rules

For information only

Explanatory Memorandum for SR 2021/233 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 14) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department of Health)

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

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

Explanatory Memorandum for SR 2021/274 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings) (Amendment No. 6) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department of Health)

Explanatory Memorandum for SR 2021/276 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 16) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department of Health)

7. Written Ministerial Statements

Budget 2022-25: Funding Available (Minister of Finance)

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 2 November 2021

2017-2022 Mandate
Executive Bills                

2017-2022 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills           

/ Bills progressing by accelerated passage

PROXY VOTING NOTICES – TUESDAY 2 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 2 November 2021: