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 Statement: North/South Ministerial Council - Environment Sectoral Meeting

The Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Mr Edwin Poots, made a statement regarding the recent North/South Ministerial Council Environment Sectoral Meeting, following which he replied to questions.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Beggs, took the Chair.

2.2 Statement: North/South Ministerial Council – Aquaculture and Marine Sectoral Meeting

The Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Mr Edwin Poots, made a statement regarding the recent North/South Ministerial Council Aquaculture and Marine Sectoral Meeting, following which he replied to questions.

2.3 Second Stage: Criminal Justice (Committal Reform) Bill (NIA Bill 11/17-22)

The Minister of Justice, Mrs Naomi Long, moved the Second Stage of the Criminal Justice (Committal Reform) Bill (NIA Bill 11/17-22).

Debate ensued.

The debate stood suspended for Question Time.

The Speaker took the Chair.

3. Question Time

3.1 The Executive Office

Questions were put to, and answered by, the First Minister, the Rt Hon Arlene Foster. The junior Minister, Mr Gordon Lyons, also answered a number of questions.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr McGlone, took the Chair.

3.2 Infrastructure

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

The Speaker took the Chair.

4. Executive Committee Business (cont'd)

4.1 Statement: COVID-19: Executive Decisions on 12 November 2020

The deputy First Minister, Mrs Michelle O'Neill, made a statement regarding the recent COVID-19 Executive Decisions on 12 November 2020, following which she replied to questions.

5. Questions for Urgent Oral Answer

5.1 Flu Vaccinations

The Minister of Health, Mr Swann, responded to a Question for Urgent Oral Answer tabled by Mr Colin McGrath.

5.2 COVID-19: Surge Planning

The Minister of Health, Mr Swann, responded to a Question for Urgent Oral Answer tabled by Mrs Pam Cameron.

5.3 COVID-19 Business Support Scheme

The Minister for the Economy, Mrs Diane Dodds, responded to a Question for Urgent Oral Answer tabled by Mr Stewart Dickson.

6. Assembly Business

6.1 Motion: Extension of Sitting on Monday 16 November 2020 under Standing Order 10(3A)

Proposed:

That, in accordance with Standing Order 10(3A), the sitting on Monday 16 November 2020 be extended to no later than 11.00pm.

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.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr McGlone, took the Chair.

7. Executive Committee Business (cont'd)

7.1 Second Stage: Criminal Justice (Committal Reform) Bill (NIA Bill 11/17-22) (cont'd)

Debate resumed.

The Criminal Justice (Committal Reform) Bill (NIA Bill 11/17-22) passed Second Stage.

The Speaker took the Chair.

8. Private Members' Business

8.1 Motion: Ammonia Levels in Northern Ireland

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes with concern the scale and complexity of the ammonia problem in Northern Ireland; further notes that critical loads of nitrogen deposition at which ecological damage occurs have been exceeded at 98 per cent of Northern Ireland's Special Areas of Conservation, in some cases by 300 per cent or more; recognises the need to halt further overloading of critical thresholds; notes Northern Ireland's legal obligations under Article 6 of the EU Habitats Directive; and calls on the Minister for Infrastructure to conduct an urgent review of approved planning applications for ammonia emitting projects that are within 7.5km of a Natura 2000 site; and further calls on the Minister to implement a moratorium on planning approvals for any project which proposes to increase discharges of ammonia into the environment until such time as a report is produced by the Department for Infrastructure that determines whether Article 6 of the EU Habitats Directive is being complied with in Northern Ireland.

Ms Clare Bailey
Miss Rachel Woods

Amendment

Proposed:

Leave out all after '300 per cent or more;' and insert:

'recognises the need to reduce further overloading of critical thresholds; acknowledges that emissions do not recognise borders; and calls on the Minister for Infrastructure to conduct a review of the planning application process to ensure planners have all the appropriate guidance on ammonia and are led by science and data to mitigate ammonia emissions; and further calls on the Minister for Infrastructure to consult fully with the farming and agri-food industry and the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs on this review, to ensure that the impact on the farming and agri-food industry is fully understood.'

Mr Philip McGuigan
Mr Declan McAleer
Dr Caoimhe Archibald
Mr Cathal Boylan

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the Amendment was made.

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 9.09pm.

Mr Alex Maskey
The Speaker
16 November 2020

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 11 November 2020 to 16 November 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

Department of Justice – Northern Ireland Judicial Pension Scheme Annual Report and Accounts 2019-20 (Department of Finance)

Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland Annual Report and Accounts 2019-20 (Department for Communities)

Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People Annual Report and Accounts 2019-20 (Department for Communities)

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

Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) Annual Report and Accounts 2019-20 (Department of Health)

Criminal Justice Inspection Annual Report and Accounts for 2019-20 (Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland)

Department of Education Teachers' Pension Annual Scheme Statements 2019-20 (Department of Finance)

Legal Services Agency Northern Ireland Annual Report and Accounts 2019-20 (Department of Justice)

Department of Justice Annual Report and Accounts 2019-20 (Department of Finance)

5. Assembly Reports

Report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules to the Assembly and the Appropriate Committees Tenth Report of Session 2020 - 2021 (NIA 54/17-22) (Examiner of Statutory Rules)

Report on the Functioning of Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill (NIA 55/17-22) (Committee for Finance)

6. Statutory Rules

SR 2020/248 The Maximum Number of Judges Order (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department of Justice)

SR 2020/249 The Taxi Driver (Coronavirus, Financial Assistance) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2020/250 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (Amendment No. 13) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department of Health)

SR 2020/251 The Posted Workers (Agency Workers) Northern Ireland (Order) 2020 (Department for the Economy)

SR 2020/252 The Regulation (EC) No 1370/2007 (Public Service Obligations in Transport) (Amendment) (EU Exit) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2020 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2020/253 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings) (Amendment No. 4) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department of Health)

SR 2020/254 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel) (Amendment No. 21) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department of Health)

SR 2020/255 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (Amendment No. 14) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department of Health)

SR 2020/256 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (Amendment No. 15) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department of Health)

Draft SR The Marketing of Plant and Propagating Material (Legislative Functions) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)

7. Written Ministerial Statements

COVID-19 Update (Minister of Health)

Decisions of the Executive on COVID-19, 12 November 2020 (The Executive Office)

8. Consultation Documents

Local Government Pension Scheme (Northern Ireland) Addressing Discrimination Amendments to the Statutory Underpin (Department for Communities)

9. Departmental Publications

10. Agency Publications

11. Westminster Publications

12. Miscellaneous Publications

PROXY VOTING NOTICES – MONDAY 16 NOVEMBER 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 16 November 2020: