Minutes of Proceedings

The Assembly met at noon, the Speaker in the Chair.

1. Prayers

Members observed two minutes' silence.

2. Speaker's Business

2.1 The late Mr Francie Brolly.

2.2 Members Resignations and Appointments

The Speaker informed Members that Mr Raymond McCartney resigned as a Member for the Foyle constituency with effect from 3 February 2020 and that the Chief Electoral Officer was notified in accordance with Section 35 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

The Speaker informed Members of notification from the Chief Electoral Officer that Ms Martina Anderson had been returned as a Member for the Foyle constituency.

Ms Anderson gave the undertaking, signed the Roll of Membership and entered her designation in the presence of the Speaker and the Clerk/Chief Executive at 10.30 am on 10 February 2020.

2.3 Speaker's Rulings

The Speaker informed Members that he would be publishing new Speaker's rulings on Matters of the Day and questions for urgent oral answer.

3. Assembly Business

3.1 Motion: Business Committee Membership

Proposed:

That Mr Gary Middleton replace Mr George Robinson as a member of the Business Committee.

Mr Keith Buchanan
Mr Christopher Stalford

The Question being put, the Motion was carried.

3.2 Motion: Committee Membership

Proposed:

That Mr Alan Chambers replace Mr John Stewart as a member of the Committee for Health; and that Mr John Stewart replace Mr Alan Chambers as a member of the Committee for the Economy.

Mr Robbie Butler
Dr Steve Aiken

The Question being put, the Motion was carried.

4. Executive Committee Business

4.1 Motion: The Pension Schemes Act 2015 (Judicial Pensions) (Consequential Provision No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2019

Proposed:

That the Pension Schemes Act 2015 (Judicial Pensions) (Consequential Provision No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2019 be approved.

Minister for Communities

The Question being put, the Motion was carried.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

5. Private Members' Business

5.1 Motion: Abuse of Service Animals

Proposed:

That this Assembly recognises the invaluable work of service animals used by the PSNI, the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service and the Prison Service; and calls on the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to introduce to Northern Ireland a law, equivalent to Finn's Law, making it an offence to harm or abuse an animal in the line of duty.

Mr Alex Easton
Mrs Pam Cameron

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the Motion was carried.

5.2 Motion: NICE Guidance on Fertility

Proposed:

That this Assembly recognises the serious emotional distress felt by those experiencing fertility problems in our society; notes that the Department of Health has endorsed the 2013 National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Clinical Guideline on Fertility (CG156); commends the efforts of those campaigning for the full implementation of NICE guidance on in vitro fertilisation (IVF); welcomes the commitment within New Decade, New Approach to make three cycles of IVF treatment available on the NHS; and calls on the Minister of Health to implement fully, as a matter of urgency, the NICE guidance on fertility including making three cycles of IVF available as committed to in New Decade, New Approach.

Ms Karen Mullan
Mr Colm Gildernew

Amendment 1

Proposed:

Insert after 'urgency':

"and with immediate effect for women aged 35 years and up to threshold age of 40,'

Ms Sinead Bradley
Mr Mark Durkan

Amendment 2

Proposed:

At end insert:

", and to implement a fertility education and information programme similar to the Scottish Government's Your Future Fertility programme.'

Mrs Pam Cameron
Ms Paula Bradley

Debate ensued.

The debate was suspended for Question Time.

The Speaker took the Chair.

6. Question Time

6.1 Education

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Education, Mr Peter Weir.

6.2 Finance

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Finance, Mr Conor Murphy.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Beggs) took the Chair.

6.3 Health

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

6.4 Infrastructure

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister for Infrastructure, Ms Nichola Mallon.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

7. Private Members' Business (cont'd)

7.1 Motion: NICE Guidance on Fertility (cont'd)

Debate resumed on the motion and amendments.

The Question being put, Amendment 1 was made.

The Question being put, Amendment 2 was made.

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

8. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 5.30pm.

Mr Alex Maskey
The Speaker

10 February 2020

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on
4 February 2020 – 10 February 2020

1.   Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly

2.   Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly

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

3.   Orders in Council

4.   Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

5.   Assembly Reports

Report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules to the Assembly and the Appropriate Committees: Second Report of Session 2019 – 2020 (NIA 8/17-22) (Examiner of Statutory Rules)

6.   Statutory Rules

7.   Written Ministerial Statements

The First Minister and deputy First Minister – The Legislative Programme

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 at 10 February 2020

2017-2022 Mandate
Executive Bills

2017-2022 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills

/ Bills progressing by accelerated passage