Order Paper

Date: 14 May 2024

The Assembly to sit at 10.30am.

1. Prayers

2. Members’ Statements

3. Executive Committee Business

Motion: The Coronavirus Act 2020 (Extension of Provisions Relating to Live Links for Courts and Tribunals) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024

Proposed:

That the Coronavirus Act 2020 (Extension of Provisions Relating to Live Links for Courts and Tribunals) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024 be approved.

Minister of Justice

Motion: The Rates (Temporary Rebate) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024

Proposed:

That the Rates (Temporary Rebate) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024 be affirmed.

Minister of Finance

Motion: The Rates (Exemption for Automatic Telling Machines in Rural Areas) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024

Proposed:

That the Rates (Exemption for Automatic Telling Machines in Rural Areas) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024 be affirmed.

Minister of Finance

4. Question Time

4.1 Infrastructure

5. Private Members’ Business

Motion: Extreme Pressures in Primary Care

Proposed:

That this Assembly values the enormous contribution of those working in primary care across Northern Ireland; notes that this includes GPs, nurses, health visitors, physiotherapists, social workers and mental health practitioners; recognises that primary care is generally the first point of contact within the health service for those who become unwell; further notes the recent Northern Ireland Audit Office report on Access to General Practice, which found that almost one in three local practices have sought crisis support in the last four years; regrets the absence of a specific workforce strategy for general practice; believes the failure to train, recruit, retain and reward staff has limited progress toward the rollout of multi-disciplinary teams in local primary care settings; calls on the Minister of Health to provide an indemnity scheme for GPs in Northern Ireland in line with arrangements in other parts of the United Kingdom; and further calls on the Minister to increase the number of GP training places and invest in an enhanced fellowship programme for newly qualified GPs as part of an ambitious, costed and time-bound plan to grow the primary care workforce.

Mrs Diane Dodds
Mr Alan Robinson

Motion: Reduce insurance costs for workers, families and businesses

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes the unprecedented increases in insurance premiums for home, business, and car insurance, which are crippling workers, families, and small businesses, many of whom are already struggling with the cost-of-living crisis; acknowledges that many motorists have seen their quotes increase significantly even if they haven’t had an accident, speeding fine or a change in circumstances; further acknowledges that the increase in insurance premiums has generated huge profits for the insurance industry and a windfall in Insurance Premium Tax collected by the British Government; recognises that the Financial Conduct Authority, the Prudential Regulation Authority, and the Competition and Markets Authority have a duty to monitor and regulate the insurance industry, investigate any allegations of unfair practices, and to ensure consumers receive a fair price; calls on these bodies to fulfil their statutory duties to hold the insurance industry to account and investigate the recent increases in insurance premiums; and further calls on the British Government to reduce the rate of Insurance Premium Tax which puts an additional financial burden on workers, families, and small businesses.

Miss Nicola Brogan
Miss Deirdre Hargey
Mr Cathal Boylan