Minutes of Proceedings

Session: Session currently unavailable

Date: 28 September 2021

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

1. Prayers

Members observed two minutes' silence.

2. Members' Statements

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

Dr Caoimhe Archibald

Mrs Diane Dodds

Mr Pat Catney

Mr Alan Chambers

Mr Jim Allister

Mr Gerry Carroll

Ms Ciara Ferguson

Mr Jonathan Buckley

Mr Matthew O'Toole

The Deputy Speaker, Mr McGlone, took the Chair

3. Private Members' Business

3.1 Second Stage: Small-Scale Green Energy Bill (NIA Bill 33/17-22)

Mr John O'Dowd moved the Second Stage of the Small-Scale Green Energy Bill (NIA Bill 33/17-22).

Debate ensued.

The sitting was suspended at 12.59pm.

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

4. Question Time

4.1 Health

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

5. Question for Urgent Oral Answer

5.1 Independent Review of Education Panel

The Minister of Education, Miss Michelle McIlveen, responded to a Question for Urgent Oral Answer tabled by Mr Chris Lyttle.

The Speaker took the Chair.

6. Private Members' Business (cont'd)

6.1 Second Stage: Small-Scale Green Energy Bill (NIA Bill 33/17-22)

Debate resumed.

The Small-Scale Green Energy Bill (NIA Bill 33/17-22) passed Second Stage.

6.2 Motion: Failure to investigate allegations of Irish state collusion

Proposed:

That this Assembly reiterates its opposition to Her Majesty's Government's plans for legislation to address the legacy of the past in Northern Ireland as outlined in the Command Paper published on 14 July 2021; regards any statute of limitations for Troubles-related offences to be in violation of the principle that everyone must be equal under the law and equally subject to the law; stresses that all allegations of wrongdoing should be investigated in a fair and proportionate way regardless of the nature of the offence or the jurisdiction in which it was committed; highlights the need to preserve legal routes to justice for innocent victims; condemns the longstanding failure by government and police oversight bodies in the Republic of Ireland to address substantive allegations of collusion in atrocities committed by the IRA; notes with deep concern the refusal by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission to commission an investigation in the case of Ian Sproule, who was murdered in 1991; opposes the preconditions set by the Irish Government for exchanging information integral to legacy investigations; and calls on the Irish Government to fulfil its obligations under international human rights law to provide an effective investigation into claims of state collusion in acts of terrorism and facilitate timely access to justice and truth for affected victims and their families.

Mrs Diane Dodds
Mr Thomas Buchanan

Amendment

Proposed:

Leave out all after 'oversight bodies' and insert:

'in the UK and Ireland to address substantive allegations of collusion in atrocities committed by Republicans and Loyalists; notes with deep concern the failure to make progress on investigating the case of Ian Sproule, who was murdered in 1991; recognises the need for the UK and Irish Governments to exchange, urgently, information integral to legacy investigations; and calls on the UK and Irish Governments to fulfil their obligations under international human rights law to provide effective investigations into claims of state collusion in acts of terrorism and facilitate timely access to justice and truth for affected victims and their families.'

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Mr John Blair
Mr Stewart Dickson

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the amendment was made (Division).

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

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

7. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

Mr Mark Durkan spoke to his topic regarding the Impact in Foyle of Removal of Universal Credit Uplift.

The Assembly adjourned at 6.16pm.

 

Mr Alex Maskey
The Speaker
28 September 2021

 

Northern Ireland Assembly

28 September 2021 - Division

Amendment: Failure to investigate allegations of Irish state collusion

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 49
Noes: 39

AYES

Dr Archibald, Ms Armstrong, Ms Bailey, Mr Blair, Mr Boylan, Ms S Bradley, Ms Bradshaw, Ms Brogan, Mr Carroll, Mr Catney, Mr Delargy, Mr Dickson, Ms Dillon, Ms Dolan, Mr Durkan, Ms Ennis, Ms Ferguson, Ms Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Ms Hargey, Ms Hunter, Mr Kearney, Mrs D Kelly, Mr G Kelly, Ms Kimmins, Mrs Long, Mr Lyttle, Mr McAleer, Mr McCann, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McGuigan, Mr McHugh, Ms McLaughlin, Mr McNulty, Ms Mallon, Mr Muir, Ms Á Murphy, Mr C Murphy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mr O'Dowd, Mrs O'Neill, Mr O'Toole, Ms Rogan, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin, Ms Sugden, Miss Woods.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Blair, Ms Bradshaw.

NOES

Dr Aiken, Mr Allen, Mr Allister, Mrs Barton, Mr Beattie, Mr Beggs, Mr M Bradley, Ms P Bradley, Mr K Buchanan, Mr T Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Ms Bunting, Mr Butler, Mrs Cameron, Mr Chambers, Mr Clarke, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Mr Easton, Mrs Foster, Mr Frew, Mr Givan, Mr Harvey, Mr Hilditch, Mr Humphrey, Mr Irwin, Mr Lyons, Miss McIlveen, Mr Middleton, Mr Nesbitt, Mr Newton, Mr Poots, Mr Robinson, Mr Stalford, Mr Stewart, Mr Storey, Mr Swann, Mr Weir, Mr Wells.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Clarke, Mr Storey.

The Amendment was made.

The following Members' votes were cast by their notified proxy in this division:

Mr Dickson voted for Ms Armstrong, Mr Blair [Teller, Ayes], Ms Bradshaw [Teller, Ayes], Mrs Long, Mr Lyttle and Mr Muir.

Ms Bunting voted for Mr M Bradley, Ms P Bradley, Mr K Buchanan, Mr T Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Mrs Cameron, Mr Clarke [Teller, Noes], Mr Dunne, Mr Easton, Mr Frew, Mr Givan, Mr Harvey, Mr Hilditch, Mr Humphrey, Mr Irwin, My Lyons, Miss McIlveen, Mr Middleton, Mr Newton, Mr Poots, Mr Robinson, Mr Stalford, Mr Storey [Teller, Noes] and Mr Weir.

Mrs Dodds voted for Mrs Foster.

Mr Butler voted for Mr Aiken, Mr Allen, Mrs Barton, Mr Beggs, Mr Chambers, Mr Nesbitt, Mr Stewart and Mr Swann.

Mr O'Dowd voted for Dr Archibald, Mr Boylan, Ms Brogan, Mr Delargy, Ms Dillon, Ms Dolan, Ms Ennis, Ms Ferguson, Ms Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Ms Hargey, Mr Kearney, Mr G Kelly, Ms Kimmins, Mr McAleer, Mr McCann, Mr McGuigan, Mr McHugh, Ms A Murphy, Mr C Murphy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mrs O'Neill, Ms Rogan, Mr Sheehan and Ms Sheerin.

Mr O'Toole voted for Ms S Bradley, Mr Catney, Mr Durkan, Ms Hunter, Mrs D Kelly, Ms Mallon, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Ms McLaughlin and Mr McNulty.

Ms Woods voted for Ms Bailey and Ms Sugden.

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 28 September 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

For information only

SR 2021/271 (C.11) The Pension Schemes Act 2021 (Commencement No. 2 and Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department for Communities)

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 28 September 2021

2017-2022 Mandate
Executive Bills             

  

Title &
   NIA Bill Number

  
  

First
   Stage

  
  

Second Stage

  
  

Comm. Stage to Conclude

  
  

Report Ordered to be Printed

  
  

CS

  
  

FCS

  
  

Final Stage

  
  

Royal Assent

  

Budget   Bill (NIA Bill 02/17-22)

24/02/20

25/02/20

/

/

02/03/20

03/03/20

09/03/20

26/03/20

Domestic   Abuse and Civil Proceedings Bill (NIA Bill 03/17-22)

31/03/20

28/04/20

15/10/20

15/10/20

17/11/20

15/12/20

18/01/21

01/03/21

Private   Tenancies (Coronavirus Modifications) Bill (NIA Bill 04/17-22)

21/04/20

21/04/20

/

/

28/04/20

/

28/04/20

04/05/20

Budget   (No. 2) Bill (NIA Bill 05/17-22)

26/05/20

26/05/20

/

/

01/06/20

02/06/20

02/06/20

17/06/20

Housing   Amendment Bill (NIA Bill 06/17-22)

26/05/20

01/06/20

/

/

16/06/20

23/06/20

30/06/20

28/08/20

Pension   Schemes Bill (NIA Bill 07/17-22)

23/06/20

07/07/20

29/01/21

19/11/20

04/05/21

17/05/21

01/06/21

09/08/21

Executive   Committee (Functions) Bill (NIA Bill 08/17-22)

06/07/20

06/07/20

/

/

21/07/20

27/07/20

28/07/20

25/08/20

Budget   (No. 3) Bill

(NIA   Bill 09/17-22)

19/10/20

20/10/20

/

/

02/11/20

09/11/20

10/11/20

25/11/20

The   Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Bill

(NIA   Bill 10/17-22)

19/10/20

03/11/20

15/05/21

13/05/21

08/06/21

21/06/21

29/06/21

26/08/21

The   Criminal Justice (Committal Reform) Bill (NIA Bill 11/17-22)

03/11/20

16/11/20

11/06/21

 

 

 

 

 

The   Harbours (Grants and Loans Limit) Bill (NIA Bill 12/17-22)

23/11/20

01/12/20

/

/

14/12/20

19/01/21

25/01/21

01/03/21

Protection from Stalking Bill (NIA Bill   14/17-22)

18/01/20

08/02/21

10/12/21

 

 

 

 

 

The Damages (Return on Investment) Bill (NIA   Bill 16/17-22)

01/03/21

09/03/21

28/10/21

 

 

 

 

 

Budget Bill (NIA Bill 17/17-22)

01/03/21

02/03/21

/

/

08/03/21

09/03/21

09/03/21

23/03/21

Health and Social Care Bill (NIA Bill   18/17/22)


  08/03/21

 

16/03/21

01/10/21

 

 

 

 

 

Horse Racing (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill   20/17-22)

13/04/21

26/04/21

28/01/22

 

 

 

 

 

The Financial Reporting (Departments and   Public Bodies) Bill (NIA Bill 21/17-22)

01/06/21

14/06/21

17/12/21

 

 

 

 

 

The Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Bill   (NIA Bill 22/17-22)

01/06/21

14/06/21

15/11/21

 

 

 

 

 

Budget (No.2) Bill (NIA Bill 24/17-22)

07/06/21

08/06/21

/

/

14/06/21

21/06/21

22/06/21

04/08/21

Local Government (Meetings and Performance)   Bill (NIA Bill 26/17-22)

14/06/21

22/06/21

/

/

28/06/21

05/07/21

06/07/21

26/08/21

Charities Bill (NIA Bill 27/17-22)

21/06/21

29/06/21

10/12/21

 

 

 

 

 

Climate Change (No. 2) Bill (NIA Bill   28/17-22)

05/07/21

27/09/21

 

 

 

 

 

 

Justice (Sexual Offences and Trafficking Victims)   Bill (NIA Bill 29/17-22)

05/07/21

13/09/21

01/11/21

 

 

 

 

 

Organ and Tissue (Deemed Consent) Bill (NIA   Bill 30/17-22)

05/07/21

20/09/21

08/11/21

 

 

 

 

 

Private Tenancies Bill (NIA Bill 32/17-22)

06/07/21

13/09/21

01/11/21

 

 

 

 

 

Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements   (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 36/17-22)

14/09/21

27/09/21

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adoption and Children Bill (NIA Bill 37/17-22)

20/09/21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2017-2022 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills                  

  

Title &
   NIA Bill Number

  
  

First
   Stage

  
  

Second Stage

  
  

Comm. Stage to Conclude

  
  

Report Ordered to be Printed

  
  

CS

  
  

FCS

  
  

Final Stage

  
  

Royal Assent

  

Functioning   of Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill (NIA Bill 01/17-22)

03/02/20

16/03/20

02/12/20

11/11/20

24/11/20

19/01/21

02/02/20

22/03/21

Assembly   Members (Remuneration Board) Bill

(NIA   Bill 13/17-22)

14/12/20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The   Severe Fetal Impairment Abortion (Amendment) Bill

(NIA   Bill 15/17-22)

16/02/21

15/03/21

19/11/21

 

 

 

 

 

Climate   Change Bill (NIA Bill 19/17-22)

22/03/21

10/05/21

17/12/21

 

 

 

 

 

The   Integrated Education Bill (NIA Bill 23/17-22)

01/06/21

06/07/21

12/10/21

 

 

 

 

 

Defamation   Bill (NIA Bill 25/17-22)

07/06/21

14/09/21

02/11/21

 

 

 

 

 

Autism   (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 31/17-22)

05/07/21

21/09/21

09/11/21

 

 

 

 

 

Small   Scale Green Energy Bill (NIA Bill 33/17-22)

06/07/21

28/09/21

16/11/21

 

 

 

 

 

Political   Appointments Bill (NIA Bill 34/17-22)

06/07/21

Bill fell at Second   Stage on 21/09/21

 

 

 

 

 

 

Abortion   Services (Safe Access Zones) Bill (NIA Bill 35/17-22)

13/09/21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/ Bills progressing by accelerated passage

PROXY VOTING NOTICES – TUESDAY 28 SEPTEMBER 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 28 September 2021:

Steve Aiken

William Irwin

Andy Allen

Declan   Kearney

Caoimhe   Archibald

Dolores Kelly

Kellie   Armstrong

Gerry Kelly

Clare Bailey

Liz Kimmins

Rosemary   Barton

Naomi Long

Roy Beggs

Gordon Lyons

John Blair

Chris Lyttle

Cathal Boylan

Nichola   Mallon

Maurice   Bradley

Declan   McAleer

Paula Bradley

Fra McCann

Sinead   Bradley

Daniel   McCrossan

Paula   Bradshaw

Patsy McGlone

Nicola Brogan

Colin McGrath

Keith   Buchanan

Philip   McGuigan

Thomas   Buchanan

Maolíosa   McHugh

Jonathan   Buckley

Michelle   McIlveen

Pam Cameron

Sinead   McLaughlin

Pat Catney

Justin   McNulty

Alan Chambers

Gary   Middleton

Trevor Clarke

Andrew Muir

Pádraig   Delargy

Áine Murphy

Linda Dillon

Conor Murphy

Jemma Dolan

Mike Nesbitt

Stephen Dunne

Robin Newton

Mark Durkan

Carál Ní   Chuilín

Alex Easton

Michelle   O’Neill

Sinead Ennis

Edwin Poots

Ciara   Ferguson

George   Robinson

Órlaithí   Flynn

Emma Rogan

Arlene Foster

Pat Sheehan

Paul Frew

Emma Sheerin

Colm   Gildernew

Christopher   Stalford

Paul Givan

John Stewart

Deirdre   Hargey

Mervyn Storey

Harry Harvey

Claire Sugden

David   Hilditch

Robin Swann

William   Humphrey

Peter Weir

Cara Hunter