Minutes of Proceedings

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

1. Prayers

Members observed two minutes' silence.

2. Executive Committee Business

2.1 Motion: The Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 (Amendment of Certain Relevant Periods) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020

Proposed:

That the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 (Amendment of Certain Relevant Periods) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 be approved.

Minister for the Economy

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

2.2 Motion: The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (Amendment No. 4) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020

Proposed:

That the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (Amendment No. 4) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 be approved.

Minister of Health

Debate ensued.

The debate stood suspended for Question Time.
The Speaker took the Chair.

3. Question Time

3.1 Economy

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister for the Economy, Mrs Diane Dodds.

3.2 Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Mr Edwin Poots.

4. Question for Urgent Oral Answer

4.1 Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessments Proposals

The Minister of Education, Mr Peter Weir, responded to a Question for Urgent Oral Answer tabled by Ms Karen Mullan.

5. Executive Committee Business (cont'd)

5.1 Motion: The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (Amendment No. 4) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (cont'd)

Debate resumed.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Beggs, took the Chair.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

6. Private Members' Business

6.1 Motion: Increasing the Number of Police Officers in Northern Ireland

Proposed:

That this Assembly recognises the importance of effective, responsive and visible policing across Northern Ireland; highlights that better-resourced neighbourhood and local policing teams stand to improve outcomes in addressing traditional and emerging crime threats, preventing harm, and promoting grassroots support for law and order; stresses, moreover, the critical need to ensure the Police Service of Northern Ireland is appropriately resourced to deal with the enduring threat of terrorism and paramilitary activity; welcomes, to this end, the Executive commitment contained in New Decade, New Approach to increase police officer numbers to 7,500; expresses deep concern with the lack of progress and inaction to date; and calls on the Minister of Justice to work proactively with the Minister of Finance to honour and implement the commitment to enhanced local police numbers by the end of this Assembly mandate.

Mr Mervyn Storey
Mr Thomas Buchanan
Mr Trevor Clarke
Ms Joanne Bunting

Amendment

Proposed:

Leave out all after the first 'concern' and insert:
'that the costs of delivering the full range of priorities set out in New Decade, New Approach are far in excess of the funding package provided by the British Government; and calls on the British Government to provide adequate funding to take forward the New Decade, New Approach priorities which will enable the Executive to honour and implement the commitment to enhanced local police numbers by the end of this Assembly mandate.'

Mr Gerry Kelly
Ms Linda Dillon
Mr Seán Lynch
Ms Liz Kimmins

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the Amendment was made (Division 1).

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

The Speaker took the Chair.

7. Assembly Business

7.1 Motion: Extension of Sitting on Monday 12 October 2020 under Standing Order 10(3A)

Proposed:

That, in accordance with Standing Order 10(3A), the sitting on Monday 12 October 2020 be extended to no later than 9.00pm.

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.

8. Private Members' Business (cont'd)

8.1 Motion: The European Union-United Kingdom Withdrawal Agreement

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes the British Government's stated intention, in breach of international law, to renege on elements of the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement; urges the European Council to stand by, fully, the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement as agreed; and calls on the European Council to require the British Government to implement fully the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland.

Mr John O'Dowd
Ms Emma Sheerin
Mr Declan McAleer
Dr Caoimhe Archibald

Amendment:

Proposed:

At end insert:
'; and further calls on the UK Government and the European Union to work constructively within the context of the Protocol on Ireland / Northern Ireland to put in place any waivers, mitigations and flexibilities necessary to make its implementation as light touch as possible.'

Mr Stewart Dickson
Mr Andrew Muir

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the Amendment was made (Division 2).

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

9. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 8.13pm.

Mr Alex Maskey
The Speaker
12 October 2020

Northern Ireland Assembly

12 October 2020
Division 1

Motion: Increasing the Number of Police Officers in Northern Ireland - Amendment

Proposed:

Leave out all after the first 'concern' and insert:
'that the costs of delivering the full range of priorities set out in New Decade, New Approach are far in excess of the funding package provided by the British Government; and calls on the British Government to provide adequate funding to take forward the New Decade, New Approach priorities which will enable the Executive to honour and implement the commitment to enhanced local police numbers by the end of this Assembly mandate.'

Mr Gerry Kelly
Ms Linda Dillon
Mr Seán Lynch
Ms Liz Kimmins

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 47
Noes: 36

AYES
Ms Anderson, Dr Archibald, Ms Armstrong, Ms Bailey, Mr Blair, Mr Boylan, Ms S Bradley, Ms Bradshaw, Mr Catney, Mr Dickson, Ms Dillon, Ms Dolan, Mr Durkan, Ms Ennis, Ms Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Ms Hargey, Ms Hunter, Mr Kearney, Ms C Kelly, Mrs D Kelly, Mr G Kelly, Ms Kimmins, Mrs Long, Mr Lynch, Mr Lyttle, Mr McAleer, Mr McCann, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McGuigan, Mr McHugh, Ms McLaughlin, Mr McNulty, Ms Mallon, Mr Muir, Ms Mullan, Mr Murphy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mr O'Dowd, Mrs O'Neill, Mr O'Toole, Ms Rogan, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin, Miss Woods.

Tellers for the Ayes: Ms Dillon, Ms Kimmins

NOES
Dr Aiken, Mr Allen, Mr Allister, Mrs Barton, Mr Beattie, Mr M Bradley, Ms P Bradley, Mr K Buchanan, Mr T Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Ms Bunting, Mr Butler, Mrs Cameron, Mr Chambers, Mr Clarke, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Mr Easton, Mrs Foster, Mr Frew, Mr Givan, Mr Harvey, Mr Hilditch, Mr Humphrey, Mr Irwin, Mr Lyons, Miss McIlveen, Mr Middleton, Mr Nesbitt, Mr Newton, Mr Poots, Mr Robinson, Mr Stalford, Mr Swann, Mr Weir, Mr Wells.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Clarke, Mr Nesbitt

The Amendment was made.

The following Members' votes were cast by their notified proxy in this division:

Ms Bradshaw voted for Ms Armstrong, Mr Blair, Mr Dickson, Mrs Long, Mr Lyttle and Mr Muir.

Mr K Buchanan voted for Ms P Bradley, Mr Buckley, Mrs Cameron, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Mr Easton, Mrs Foster, Mr Givan, Mr Harvey, Mr Hilditch, Mr Irwin, Mr Lyons, Mr Newton, Mr Poots, Mr Robinson, Mr Stalford and Mr Weir.

Mr Butler voted for Mr Swann.

Mr O'Dowd voted for Ms Anderson, Dr Archibald, Mr Boylan, Ms Dillon [Teller, Ayes], Ms Dolan, Ms Ennis, Ms Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Ms Hargey, Mr Kearney, Ms C Kelly, Mr G Kelly, Ms Kimmins [Teller, Ayes], Mr Lynch, Mr McAleer, Mr McCann, Mr McGuigan, Mr McHugh, Ms Mullan, Mr Murphy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mrs O'Neill, Ms Rogan, Mr Sheehan and Ms Sheerin.

Mr O'Toole voted for Ms S Bradley, Mr Catney, Mr Durkan, Ms Hunter, Mrs D Kelly, Ms Mallon, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Ms McLaughlin, Mr McNulty.

Northern Ireland Assembly

12 October 2020
Division 2

Motion as amended: The European Union-United Kingdom Withdrawal Agreement

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes the British Government's stated intention, in breach of international law, to renege on elements of the EU/UK withdrawal agreement; urges the European Council to stand by, fully, the EU/UK withdrawal agreement as agreed; and calls on the European Council to require the British Government to implement fully the protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland; and further calls on the UK Government and the European Union to work constructively within the context of the protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland to put in place any waivers, mitigations and flexibilities necessary to make its implementation as light touch as possible.

Mr John O'Dowd
Ms Emma Sheerin
Mr Declan McAleer
Dr Caoimhe Archibald

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 45
Noes: 33

AYES
Ms Anderson, Dr Archibald, Ms Armstrong, Mr Blair, Mr Boylan, Ms S Bradley, Ms Bradshaw, Mr Catney, Mr Dickson, Ms Dillon, Ms Dolan, Mr Durkan, Ms Ennis, Ms Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Ms Hargey, Ms Hunter, Mr Kearney, Ms C Kelly, Mrs D Kelly, Mr G Kelly, Ms Kimmins, Mrs Long, Mr Lynch, Mr Lyttle, Mr McAleer, Mr McCann, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McGuigan, Mr McHugh, Ms McLaughlin, Mr McNulty, Ms Mallon, Mr Muir, Ms Mullan, Mr Murphy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mr O'Dowd, Mrs O'Neill, Mr O'Toole, Ms Rogan, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr McAleer, Ms Sheerin

NOES
Mr Allen, Mr Allister, Mrs Barton, Mr Beggs, Mr M Bradley, Ms P Bradley, Mr K Buchanan, Mr T Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Ms Bunting, Mr Butler, Mrs Cameron, Mr Chambers, Mr Clarke, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Mr Easton, Mrs Foster, Mr Frew, Mr Givan, Mr Harvey, Mr Hilditch, Mr Humphrey, Mr Irwin, Mr Lyons, Miss McIlveen, Mr Middleton, Mr Newton, Mr Poots, Mr Robinson, Mr Stalford, Mr Swann, Mr Weir.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Buckley, Mr Givan

The motion, as amended, was made.

The following Members' votes were cast by their notified proxy in this division:

Ms Bradshaw voted for Ms Armstrong, Mr Blair, Mr Dickson, Mrs Long, Mr Lyttle and Mr Muir.

Mr K Buchanan voted for Ms P Bradley, Mr Buckley [Teller, Noes], Mrs Cameron, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Mr Easton, Mrs Foster, Mr Givan [Teller, Noes], Mr Harvey, Mr Hilditch, Mr Irwin, Mr Lyons, Mr Newton, Mr Poots, Mr Robinson, Mr Stalford and Mr Weir.

Mr Butler voted for Mr Swann.

Mr O'Dowd voted for Ms Anderson, Dr Archibald, Mr Boylan, Ms Dillon, Ms Dolan, Ms Ennis, Ms Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Ms Hargey, Mr Kearney, Ms C Kelly, Mr G Kelly, Ms Kimmins, Mr Lynch, Mr McAleer [Teller, Ayes], Mr McCann, Mr McGuigan, Mr McHugh, Ms Mullan, Mr Murphy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mrs O'Neill, Ms Rogan, Mr Sheehan and Ms Sheerin [Teller, Ayes].

Mr O'Toole voted for Ms S Bradley, Mr Catney, Mr Durkan, Ms Hunter, Mrs D Kelly, Ms Mallon, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Ms McLaughlin, Mr McNulty.

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 7 October 2020 to 12 October 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

British Library Annual Report and Accounts 2019-20 (British Library)

HSC Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) Annual Report and Accounts 2019-20 (Department of Health)

NIAO Generating Electricity from Renewable Energy (Northern Ireland Audit Office)

5. Assembly Reports

Major Capital Projects (NIA 46/17-22) (Public Accounts Committee)

Report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules to the Assembly and the Appropriate Committees Sixth Report of Session 2020 - 2021 (NIA 47/17-22) (Examiner of Statutory Rules)

6. Statutory Rules

SR 2020/214 The Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 (Coronavirus) (Schedule 8) (Early Termination of Certain Temporary Provisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department for the Economy)

SR 2020/215 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Public Health Advice for Persons Travelling to Northern Ireland) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department of Health)

SR 2020/216 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel) (Amendment No. 14) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department of Health)

SR 2020/217 The Employment and Support Allowance and Universal Credit (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department for Communities)

For information only

Explanatory Memorandum for SR 2020/210 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (Amendment No. 7) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department of Health)

Explanatory Memorandum for SR 2020/212 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel) (Amendment No. 13) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department of Health)

7. Written Ministerial Statements

COVID-19 Update (Minister of Health)

8. Consultation Documents

9. Departmental Publications

10. Agency Publications

11. Westminster Publications

12. Miscellaneous Publications

PROXY VOTING NOTICES – MONDAY 12 OCTOBER 2020

The following Members notified the Speaker, under Standing Order 112, that they wished to avail of proxy voting arrangements for the sitting on Monday 12 October 2020: