Minutes of Proceedings

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

1. Prayers

Members observed two minutes' silence.

2. Assembly Business

2.1 Consideration of business not concluded on Tuesday 22 February 2022

The Deputy Speaker informed the Assembly that all the business on the Order Paper for Tuesday 22 February 2022 had been considered. The Deputy Speaker moved on to the business scheduled on the Order Paper for Wednesday 23 February 2022.

3. Ministerial Statement

3.1 British-Irish Council Energy Meeting

The Minister for the Economy, Mr Gordon Lyons, made a statement regarding a recent British-Irish Council Energy Meeting, following which he replied to questions.

4. Executive Committee Business

4.1 Further Consideration Stage: Welfare Supplementary Payments (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 50/17-22)

The Minister for Communities, Ms Deirdre Hargey, moved the Further Consideration Stage of the Welfare Supplementary Payments (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 50/17-22).

Three amendments were tabled to the Bill and selected for debate.

Clauses

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

After debate, Amendment 2 to Clause 3 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 3 to the Long Title was made without division.

The Welfare Supplementary Payments (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 50/17-22) stood referred to the Speaker.

4.2 Consideration Stage: Private Tenancies Bill (NIA Bill 32/17-22)

The Minister for Communities, Ms Deirdre Hargey, moved the Consideration Stage of the Private Tenancies Bill (NIA Bill 32/17-22).

Forty-fiveamendments were tabled to the Bill and selected 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.

The sitting was suspended at 12.34 pm and resumed at 12.51 pm, the Deputy Speaker, Mr Beggs, in the chair.

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

After debate, Amendment 2 to Clause 3 was made without division.

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

After debate, Amendment 4 to Clause 3 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 5 to Clause 3 was made without division.

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

After debate, Amendment 7 to Clause 3 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 8 to Clause 3 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 9 to Clause 3 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 10 to Clause 3 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 11 to Clause 3 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 12 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.

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

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

After debate, Amendment 13 to Clause 7 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 14 to Clause 7, was made without division.

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

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clause 8 stand part of the Bill.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clause 9 stand part of the Bill.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clause 10 stand part of the Bill.

After debate, Amendment 15 to Clause 11 was made on division (Division).

As Amendment 15 was made, Amendment 16 was not called.

After debate, Amendment 17 to Clause 11 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 18 to Clause 11 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 19 was not moved.

As Amendment 19 was not moved, Amendment 20 was not called.

After debate,Amendment 21 was not moved.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clause 11, as amended, stand part of the Bill.

After debate, Amendment 22 inserting new clause 'Payment options for tenants: power to make provision and duty to consult' 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 Clause 12 stand part of the Bill.

After debate, Amendment 23 to Clause 13 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 24 was not moved.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clause 13, as amended, stand part of the Bill.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clause 14 stand part of the Bill.

Schedules

The question being put, it was agreed without divisionthat Schedule 1 stand part of the Bill.

After debate, Amendment 25 to Schedule 2 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 26 to Schedule 2 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 27 to Schedule 2 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 28 to Schedule 2 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 29 to Schedule 2 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 30 to Schedule 2 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 31 to Schedule 2 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 32 to Schedule 2 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 33 to Schedule 2 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 34 to Schedule 2 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 35 to Schedule 2 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 36 to Schedule 2 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 37 to Schedule 2 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 38 to Schedule 2 was made without division.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Schedule 2, as amended, stand part of the Bill.

After debate, Amendment 39 to Schedule 3 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 40 to Schedule 3 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 41 to Schedule 3 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 42 to Schedule 3 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 43 to Schedule 3 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 44 to Schedule 3 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 45 to Schedule 3 was made without division.

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

Long Title

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

The Private Tenancies Bill (NIA Bill 32/17-22) stood referred to the Speaker.

The Speaker took the chair.

5. Question Time

5.1 Education

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Education, Miss Michelle McIlveen.

6. Executive Committee Business (cont'd)

6.1 Legislative Consent Motion: Health and Care Bill 2021 – Virginity Testing and Hymenoplasty

Proposed:

That this Assembly endorses the principle of the extension to Northern Ireland of the provisions within the Health and Care Bill introduced in the House of Commons on 6 July 2021, to ban virginity testing and hymenoplasty.

Minister of Health

Debate ensued.

The question being put, the motion was agreed.

6.2 Legislative Consent Motion: Health and Care Bill 2021 – Arm's-Length Bodies – Transfer of Functions

Proposed:

That this Assembly endorses the extension to Northern Ireland of the provisions within the Health and Care Bill dealing with Arm's-Length Bodies – Transfer of Functions.

Minister of Health

Debate ensued.

The question being put, the motion was agreed.

6.3 Legislative Consent Motion: Health and Care Bill 2021 – Mandatory Reporting of Healthcare Payment Data

Proposed:

That this Assembly endorses the extension to Northern Ireland of the provisions in the Health and Care Bill in respect of information about payments etc. to persons in the health care sector.

Minister of Health

Debate ensued.

The question being put, the motion was agreed.

6.4 Second Stage: Budget Bill (NIA Bill 55/17-22)

The Minister of Finance, Mr Conor Murphy, moved the Second Stage of the Budget Bill (NIA Bill 55/17-22).

Debate ensued.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr McGlone, took the Chair.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Beggs, took the Chair.

The Budget Bill (NIA Bill 55/17-22) passed Second Stage.

7. Committee Business

7.1 Motion: Assembly Commission Budget for 2022-25

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes the report of the Audit Committee (NIA 144/17-22) on the scrutiny of the Assembly Commission's budget for the three-year period from 2022-23 to 2024-25, as laid before the Assembly on 30 November 2021; and agrees the Assembly Commission's budget for 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25.

Mr John O'Dowd
Mr Trevor Clarke
Mrs Dolores Kelly
Mr Robbie Butler
Mr John Blair

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

The Speaker took the chair.

8. Private Members' Business

8.1 Further Consideration Stage: Autism (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 31/17-22)

Mrs Pam Cameron, moved the Further Consideration Stage of the Autism (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 31/17-22).

Four amendments were tabled to the Bill and selected for debate.

Amendment 1 was not moved.

After debate, Amendment 2 to Clause 5 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 3 to Clause 5 was made without division.

Amendment 4 was not moved.

The Autism (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 31/17-22) stood referred to the Speaker for consideration in accordance with section 10 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

9. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 7.14pm.

Mr Alex Maskey
The Speaker
23 February 2022

Northern Ireland Assembly

23 February 2022 – Division 1

Consideration Stage: Private Tenancies Bill (NIA Bill 32/17-22) – Amendment 15

Proposed:

Clause 11, Page 10, Line 32

Leave out subsection (4) and insert -

'(4) For paragraph (1A) substitute—

"(1A) For the purposes of paragraph (1) the relevant period is—

(a) 28 days, if the tenancy has not been in existence for more than 6 months;

(b) 90 days, if the tenancy has been in existence for more than 6 months but not for more than one year;

(c) 120 days, if the tenancy has been in existence for more than one year but not for more than 3 years;

(d) 180 days, if the tenancy has been in existence for more than 3 years but not for more than 7 years;

(e) 196 days, if the tenancy has been in existence for more than 7 years but not for more than 8 years; and

(f) 224 days, if the tenancy has been in existence for 8 years or more.'

Ms Ciara Ferguson

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 47
Noes: 37

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 McCrossan, 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, Miss Reilly, Ms Rogan, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin, Ms Sugden.

Tellers for the Ayes: Miss Reilly, Ms Sheerin.

NOES

Dr Aiken, Mr Allen, Mr Allister, Mrs Barton, Mr Beattie, 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 Erskine, 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 Stewart, Mr Storey, Mr Swann, Mr Weir, Mr Wells.

Tellers for the Noes: Ms P Bradley, Mr Frew.

The amendment was made.

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

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

Ms Bradshaw voted for Ms Armstrong, Mr Blair, Mr Dickson, Mrs Long, Mr Lyttle and Mr Muir.

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

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

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 Kelly, Ms Kimmins, Mr McAleer, Mr McGuigan, Mr McHugh, Ms A Murphy, Mr C Murphy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mrs O'Neill, Ms Reilly [Teller, Ayes], Ms Rogan, Mr Sheehan and Ms Sheerin [Teller, Ayes].

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 23 February 2022

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

PROXY VOTING NOTICES – WEDNESDAY 23 FEBRUARY 2022

The following Members notified the Speaker, under Standing Order 112, that they wished to avail of proxy voting arrangements for the sitting on Wednesday 23 February 2022:

*Jim Allister stipulated that he wished to avail of proxy voting arrangements for votes on Consideration Stage: Private Tenancies Bill (NIA Bill 32/17-22) on 23 February 2022.

*Joanne Bunting stipulated that she wished to avail of proxy voting arrangements before 1:15pm on 23 February 2022.

*Trevor Clarke stipulated that he wished to avail of proxy voting arrangements after 1:15pm on 23 February 2022.