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 COVID-19

The Speaker made some remarks recognising the effect that the COVID-19 virus would have on Assembly Business.

2.2 Audit Committee Deputy Chairperson

The Speaker informed the Assembly that he had received notification of the resignation of Mr Andrew Muir as Deputy Chairperson of the Audit Committee, with effect from 10 March 2020.

2.3 Question Time

The Speaker informed Members that he had received a request from the Minister of Health to switch his Question Time with that of the Minister for Infrastructure today, 16 March 2020. The Speaker also informed Members that in light of the current circumstances, he had agreed to the change to allow the Minister of Health to attend an urgent COBRA meeting.

3. Assembly Business

3.1 Motion: Committee Membership

Proposed:

That Mr Pat Sheehan replace Ms Jemma Dolan as a member of the Committee for Health; and that Ms Jemma Dolan replace Mr Pat Sheehan as a member of the Committee for Justice.

Mr John O'Dowd
Ms Sinéad Ennis

The Question being put, the Motion was carried.

3.2 Motion: Suspension of Standing Orders 10(2) to 10(4)

Proposed:

That Standing Orders 10(2) to 10(4) be suspended for 16 March 2020.

Mr Keith Buchanan
Mr John O'Dowd
Mrs Dolores Kelly
Mr Robbie Butler
Ms Kellie Armstrong
Ms Clare Bailey

The Question being put, the Motion was carried with cross-community support.

3.3 Motion: Assembly Commission Budget 2020-2021

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes the report of the Audit Committee (NIA 10/17-22) on the scrutiny of the Assembly Commission's budget for 2020-21, as laid before the Assembly on 6 March 2020; and agrees the Assembly Commission's budget for 2020-21.

Mr Keith Buchanan
Mr John O'Dowd
Mrs Dolores Kelly
Mr Robbie Butler
Ms Kellie Armstrong
Ms Clare Bailey

Debate ensued.

Deputy Speaker Beggs took the Chair.

The Question being put, the Motion was carried.

The Speaker took the Chair.

4. Executive Committee Business

4.1 Motion: The Renewable Heat Incentive Inquiry Report

Proposed:

That this Assembly takes note of the publication of the Renewable Heat Incentive Inquiry Report.

Minister of Finance

Debate ensued.

The debate was suspended for Question Time.

5. Question Time

5.1 Health

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

Deputy Speaker McGlone took the Chair.

5.2 Infrastructure

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

6. Question for Urgent Oral Answer

6.1 COVID-19: Guidance to Schools

The Minister of Education, Mr Peter Weir, responded to a Question for Urgent Oral Answer tabled by Mr Chris Lyttle.

6.2 COVID-19: Support for Small Businesses

The Minister for the Economy, Mrs Diane Dodds, responded to a Question for Urgent Oral Answer tabled by Ms Claire Sugden.

The Speaker took the Chair.

6.3 COVID-19: Support for Businesses

The Minister of Finance, Mr Conor Murphy, responded to a Question for Urgent Oral Answer tabled by Mr Andrew Muir.

7. Executive Committee Business (cont'd)

7.1 Motion: The Renewable Heat Incentive Inquiry Report (cont'd)

Debate resumed.

The Question being put, the Motion was carried.

7.2 Motion: The Common Agricultural Policy (Direct Payments to Farmers) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020

Proposed:

That the Common Agricultural Policy (Direct Payments to Farmers) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 be approved.

Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

Debate ensued.

Deputy Speaker Beggs took the Chair.

The Question being put, the Motion was carried.

8. Private Members' Business

8.1 Second Stage: Functioning of Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill (NIA Bill 01/17-22)

Mr Jim Allister

Mr Jim Allister moved the Second Stage of the Functioning of Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill (NIA Bill 1/17-22).

Debate ensued.

The Functioning of Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) (NIA 01/17-22) passed Second Stage.

9. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 8.46pm.

Mr Alex Maskey
The Speaker
16 March 2020

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 11 March 2020 – 16 March 2020

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

NIAO Report - Governance Issues in Sport Northern Ireland (Northern Ireland Audit Office)

Ilex Urban Regeneration Company Final Report and Accounts (The Executive Office)

The Report of the Independent Inquiry into the Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) Scheme (Department of Finance)

5. Assembly Reports

Report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules to the Assembly and the Appropriate Committees: Fourth Report of Session 2019–2020 (NIA 14/17-22)

6. Statutory Rules

SR 2020/32 The Statutory Sick Pay (General) (Coronavirus Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department for Communities)

SR 2020/31 The Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles (Construction and Use) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2020/34 The Recovery of Health Services Charges (Amounts) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department of Health)

SR 2020/35 The Guaranteed Minimum Pensions Increase Order (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department for Communities)

7. Written Ministerial Statements

The Minister of Finance - Budget 2020-21 UK Funding Available

The Minister of Finance - Transparency, Accountability and the Functioning of the Executive

The Minister of Justice - Response to Coronavirus

8. Consultation Documents

9. Departmental Publications

10. Agency Publications

11. Westminster Publications

12. Miscellaneous Publications