Minutes of Proceedings

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

1. Prayers

Members observed two minutes' silence.

2. Speaker's Business

2.1 New Member

The Principal Deputy Speaker informed Members of notification from the Chief Electoral Officer that Ms Cara Hunter had been returned as a Member for the East Londonderry constituency.

Ms Hunter gave the undertaking, signed the Roll of Membership and entered her designation in the presence of the Principal Deputy Speaker and the Clerk/Chief Executive on 19 May 2020.

3. Matter of the Day

3.1 Failure to Deliver a Pension for Victims of the Troubles

Mr Jim Allister made a statement, under Standing Order 24, in relation to the Failure to Deliver a Pension for Victims of the Troubles. Other Members were also called to speak on the matter.

4. Assembly Business

4.1 Committee Membership

Proposed:

That Mr Patsy McGlone replace Mr Pat Catney as a member of the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs; and that Ms Sinead Bradley replace Mr Patsy McGlone as a member of the Committee for Justice.

Mrs Dolores Kelly
Mr Colin McGrath

The Question being put, the Motion was carried.

5. Executive Committee Business

5.1 Statement – COVID-19 Response

The Minister for Infrastructure, Ms Nichola Mallon, made a statement regarding the response to COVID-19, following which she replied to questions.

5.2 Motion: Supply Resolution for the Northern Ireland Estimates Further Vote on Account 2020-2021

Proposed:

That this Assembly approves that a sum, not exceeding £8,225,189,000, be granted out of the Consolidated Fund, for or towards defraying the charges for the Northern Ireland Departments, the Food Standards Agency, the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission, the Northern Ireland Audit Office, the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation, the Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman, and the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland for the year ending 31 March 2021 and that resources, not exceeding £9,050,940,000, be authorised for use by the Northern Ireland Departments, the Food Standards Agency, the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission, the Northern Ireland Audit Office, the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation, the Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman, and the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland for the year ending 31 March 2021 as summarised for each Department or other public body in Column 4 of Table 1, and Column 4 of Table 2, in the Northern Ireland Estimates Further Vote on Account 2020-2021 that was laid before the Assembly on 20 May 2020.

The Minister of Finance

Debate ensued.

The sitting was suspended at 12.57pm.

The sitting resumed at 2.00pm, with the Deputy Speaker, Mr Beggs, in the Chair.

Debate resumed.

The Question being put, the Motion on the further Vote on Account 2020-2021 was carried with cross-community support.

5.3 First Stage: Budget (No. 2) Bill (NIA Bill 5/17-22)

A Bill to authorise the issue out of the Consolidated Fund of a certain sum for the service of the year ending 31 March 2021; to appropriate that sum for specified purposes; to authorise the Department of Finance to borrow on the credit of that sum; and to authorise the use for the public service of certain resources for that year.

The Budget Bill (NIA Bill 05/17-22) passed First Stage and was ordered to be published.

The Deputy Speaker informed the Assembly that the Office of the Speaker had received correspondence from the Committee for Finance stating that, in these extenuating circumstances, the consultation with it on the public expenditure proposals contained in the Bill has been appropriate, as required under Standing Order 42(2).

5.4 First Stage: Housing (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 6/17-22)

The Minister of Finance, Mr Conor Murphy, on behalf of the Minister for Communities, Ms Deirdre Hargey, introduced a Bill to amend the law relating to housing associations; and for connected purposes.

The Housing (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 6/17-22) passed First Stage and was ordered to be published.

5.5 Motion: Suspension of Standing Order 42(5)

Proposed:

That Standing Order 42(5) be suspended in respect of the passage of the Budget (No. 2) Bill 2020.

Minister of Finance

Debate ensued.

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

The sitting was suspended at 3.53pm.

The sitting resumed at 4.06pm, with the Deputy Speaker, Mr Beggs, in the Chair.

6. Question for Urgent Oral Answer

6.1 Interim Advocate's Office: Data Breach

The First Minister, the Rt Hon Arlene Foster, responded to a Question for Urgent Oral Answer tabled by Mr Jim Allister.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

7. Executive Committee Business (cont'd)

7.1 Second Stage Budget (No. 2) Bill (NIA Bill 5/17-22)

Minister of Finance

The Minister of Finance, Mr Conor Murphy, moved the Second Stage of the Budget (No. 2) Bill (NIA Bill 5/17-22).

Debate ensued.

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

8. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 7.39pm.

Mr Alex Maskey
The Speaker

26 May 2020

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 20 May 2020 – 26 May 2020

1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly

2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly

Budget (No. 2) Bill (NIA Bill 05/17-22)

The Housing (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 06/17-22)

3. Orders in Council

4. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

Coronavirus Act 2020 Temporary Modification of Education Duties Notice (No.6) 2020 (Department of Education)

Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft Bill – Legislative Consent Memorandum (Department of Justice)

Domestic Abuse Bill – Legislative Consent Memorandum (Department of Justice)

Further Vote on Account 2020-21 (Department of Finance)

5. Assembly Reports

6. Statutory Rules

SR 2020/84 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Amendment No. 3) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department of Health)

SR 2020/86 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Amendment No.4) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department of Health)

SR 2020/87 The Social Security (Coronavirus) (Electronic Communications) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department for Communities)

7. Written Ministerial Statements

8. Consultation Documents

Consultation on Amendment of the Horse Racing (Northern Ireland) Order 1990 (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)

9. Departmental Publications

10. Agency Publications

Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland Corporate Plan 2020-23 and Business Plan 2020-21 (Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland)

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 26 May 2020

2017-2022 Mandate
Executive Bills           

2017-2022 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills             

/ Bills progressing by accelerated passage

PROXY VOTING NOTICES – TUESDAY 26 MAY 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 26 May 2020: