Minutes of Proceedings

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

1. Prayers

Members observed two minutes' silence.

2. Speaker's Business

Mr John Hume

The Speaker acknowledged the passing of the late John Hume. He informed Members that he had written to Pat Hume and her family to express the condolences of the Assembly, and that his office was liaising with the SDLP directly on the timing of formal tributes to John Dallat and John Hume when business resumes in September.

3. Private Members' Business

3.1 Motion: AS and A Level Grading Crisis

Proposed:

That this Assembly is deeply concerned that the modelling used to calculate grades for AS and A levels has awarded incorrect results for students across Northern Ireland; and calls on the Minister of Education to award students the highest of their AS, teacher-predicted or CCEA grades for A levels, AS levels and GCSEs due to exceptional Covid-19 circumstances.

Mr Daniel McCrossan
Mr Chris Lyttle
Mr Robbie Butler
Ms Karen Mullan

Amendment

Proposed:

Leave out all after 'Northern Ireland' and insert:

"; welcomes the Minister of Education's decision to reverse the unfair model used for awarding grades to ensure students now receive the higher of their teacher-predicted or CCEA grades for A levels, AS levels and GCSEs due to exceptional Covid-19 circumstances; recognises the immense stress, anxiety and disruption this has caused many students; further recognises the resultant implications for local colleges and universities; and calls on the Minister to work urgently with Executive colleagues to provide clarity and guidance to students and educational institutions."

Mr Daniel McCrossan
Mr Justin McNulty

Debate ensued

The Question being put, the Amendment was made.

The Question being put, the motion, as amended, was carried without division.

4. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 2.34pm.

Mr Alex Maskey
The Speaker
18 August 2020

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 29 July 2020 to 18 August 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

Parole Commissioners for Northern Ireland Annual Report for 2019/20 (Department of Justice)

HSC South Eastern Health and Social Care (SEHSCT) Charitable Trust Fund Accounts 2019-20 (Department of Health)

HSC Northern Health and Social Care (NHSCT) Charitable Trust Fund Accounts 2019-20 (Department of Health)

Report on Workforce Planning for Nurses and Midwives (Northern Ireland Audit Office)

Northern Ireland Medical and Dental Training Agency (NIMDTA) Annual Report and Accounts 2019-20 (Department of Health)

Western Health and Social Care Trust (WHSCT) Annual Report and Accounts 2019-20 (Department of Health)

Northern Ireland Ambulance Service Health and Social Care Trust Annual Report and Accounts 2019-20 (Department of Health)

HSC South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust Annual Report and Accounts 2019-20 Amendment (Department of Health)

HSC Southern Health and Social Care Trust Charitable Trust Fund Accounts 2019-20 (Department of Health)

Northern Ireland Social Care Council Annual Report and Accounts 2019-20 (Northern Ireland Audit Office)

Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Retention and Disposal Schedule (Public Records Office Northern Ireland)

Patient Client Council (PCC) Annual Report and Accounts 2019-20 (Department of Health)

Northern Ireland Water Group Annual Report and Accounts 2019-20 (Department for Infrastructure)

HSC Western Health and Social Care (WHSCT) Charitable Trust Fund Accounts 2019-20 (Department of Health)

Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) Charitable Trust Fund Accounts 2019-20 (Department of Health)

Northern Ireland Practice and Education Council Annual Report and Accounts 2019-20 (Department of Health)

Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service (NIBTS) Annual Report and Accounts 2019-20 (Department of Health)

Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service Charitable Trust Fund Accounts 2019-20 (Department of Health)

National Crime Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2019-20 (Department of Justice)

5. Assembly Reports

Report on the Legislative Consent Memorandum on the Immigration and Social Security Co-Ordination Bill (EU Withdrawal) Bill (NIA 35/17-22) (Committee for Communities)

6. Statutory Rules

SR 2020/117 The Northern Ireland Screen Commission (Funding) Order (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department for the Economy)

SR 2020/152 The Edible Crabs (Conservation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)

SR 2020/153 The Edible Crabs (Undersized) Order (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)

SR 2020/160 The Rates (Automatic Telling Machines) (Designation of Rural Areas) Order (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department of Finance)

SR 2020/161 The Valuation (Telecommunications, Natural Gas and Water) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department of Finance)

SR 2020/162 The Pension Protection Fund (Moratorium and Arrangements for Companies in Financial Difficulty) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department for Communities)

SR 2020/163 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel) (Amendment No.5) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department of Health)

SR 2020/164 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department of Health)

SR 2020/167 The Statutory Sick Pay (General) (Coronavirus Amendment) (No. 5) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department for Communities)

SR2020/168 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel) (Amendment No. 6) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department of Health)

SR 2020/170 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department of Health)

SR 2020/177 The Ormeau Road, Belfast (Footway) (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2020/178 The Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (Coronavirus, Calculation of a Week's Pay) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department for the Economy)

SR 2020/179 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel and Public Health Advice for Persons Travelling to Northern Ireland) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department of Health)

SR 2020/180 The A29 New Road and B30 Newry Road, Silverbridge (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2020/181 The Whitla Street, Belfast (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2020/182 The Railway Avenue, Newry (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2020/183 The Back Street at Duncairn Gardens Belfast (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2020/184 The Footpath to the rear of Albert Street, Quadrant Place and Cullingtree Road, Belfast (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department for Infrastructure)

For Information Only

SR 2020/156 The Parking and Waiting Restrictions (Ballyclare) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2020/157 The Parking and Waiting Restrictions (Kilkeel) Order (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2020/158 The Taxis (Magherafelt) Order (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2020/159 The Parking Places on Roads and Waiting Restrictions (Magherafelt) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2020/169 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Commencement) Order (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department of Health)

SR 2020/171 The Parking and Waiting Restrictions (Newtownards) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2020/172 The Parking Places, Loading Bay and Waiting Restrictions (Portstewart) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2020/173 The Roads (Speed Limit) Order (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2020/174 The Parking and Waiting Restrictions (Newtownabbey) Order (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2020/175 The Parking Places on Roads and Waiting Restrictions (Newry) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2020/176 The Road Races (Cookstown 100) Order (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department for Infrastructure)

7. Written Ministerial Statements

8. Consultation Documents

Consultation on the Building (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department of Finance)

9. Departmental Publications

Coronavirus Act 2020 Temporary Modification of Education Duties Notice (No.10) 2020 (Department of Education)

The Civil Service Injury Benefits Scheme (Amendment) Scheme (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department of Finance)

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 18 August 2020

2017-2022 Mandate
Executive Bills              

2017-2022 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills               

/ Bills progressing by accelerated passage

PROXY VOTING NOTICES – TUESDAY 18 AUGUST 2020

The following Members notified the Speaker, under Standing Order 112, that they wished to avail of proxy voting arrangements for the sitting on Tuesday 18 August 2020: