Minutes of Proceedings

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

1. Prayers

Members observed two minutes' silence.

2. Speaker's Business

The Speaker took the opportunity to send the Assembly's best wishes to both Christopher Stalford MLA, who had become ill during the previous day's business, and Daniel McCrossan MLA, who was in isolation having tested positive for COVID-19.

3. Matter of the Day

Death of David Cook

Mrs Naomi Long, under Standing Order 24, made a statement on the death of Mr David Cook. Other Members were also called to speak on the matter.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Beggs, took the Chair.

4. Assembly Business

4.1 Motion: Committee Membership

Proposed:

That Mr John O'Dowd be appointed as a member of the Committee on Procedures.

Ms Sinéad Ennis
Ms Linda Dillon

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

5. Executive Committee Business

5.1 Statement – North South Ministerial Council Plenary Meeting

The deputy First Minister, Mrs Michelle O'Neill, made a statement to the Assembly regarding the North South Ministerial Council Plenary Meeting, following which she replied to questions.

6. Committee Business

6.1 Motion: Extension of Committee Stage: Pension Schemes Bill (NIA Bill 07/17-22)

Proposed:

That, in accordance with Standing Order 33(4), the period referred to in Standing Order 33(2) be extended to 29 January 2021, in relation to the Committee Stage of the Pension Schemes Bill (NIA Bill 07/17-22).

Chairperson, Committee for Communities

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

7. Private Members' Business

7.1 Motion: Honouring the EU Withdrawal Agreement Protocol

Proposed:

That this Assembly acknowledges that the majority of citizens voted to reject Brexit; recognises that the departure from the EU gives rise to substantial political and economic challenges for our society; further recognises that while the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland is imperfect, it guarantees that, whatever the circumstances, there will be no hard border on the island and will protect the Good Friday Agreement in all its dimensions, North-South cooperation and the all-island economy; believes it would be entirely unacceptable if the British Government sought to abandon these safeguards and mitigations, as this would amount to a serious betrayal of an existing international treaty; and calls on the British Government to honour its commitments, and to ensure, now, the rigorous and full implementation of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland, prioritise peace and stability, and work to secure a future economic partnership with their EU colleagues now and in the weeks ahead.

Dr Caoimhe Archibald
Mr Declan McAleer
Mr Maolíosa McHugh
Ms Martina Anderson

Debate ensued.

The debate stood suspended for Question Time.

The Speaker took the Chair.

8. Question Time

8.1 Health

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

8.2 Infrastructure

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

The Deputy Speaker, Mr McGlone, took the Chair.

9. Private Members' Business (cont'd)

9.1 Motion: Honouring the EU Withdrawal Agreement Protocol (cont'd)

Debate resumed.

The Question being put, the motion was carried (Division).

The sitting was suspended at 4.22 pm and resumed at 4.25 pm.

9.2 Motion: Promoting Dementia-Friendly Policy

Proposed:

That this Assembly recognises the need to prioritise and enhance the health and wellbeing of every person living with dementia, and that of their carers, in Northern Ireland; highlights the importance of earlier and better diagnosis, effective community and home-based support, as well as high-quality inpatient and residential care in realising better outcomes; notes that transforming public understanding and ending stigma about dementia is integral to ensuring local services and activities are more accessible, and everyday life made easier and more enjoyable, for those affected; acknowledges the role that the devolved institutions can play in embedding cultural change to this end; and calls on the Minister of Health to work with his Executive colleagues to implement a dementia-friendly approach to their responsibilities and decision-making moving forward.

Ms Paula Bradley
Mr Colin McGrath
Mr Colm Gildernew
Mr Stewart Dickson

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

The Speaker took the Chair.

10. Question for Urgent Oral Answer

10.1 COVID-19: Outbreak Daisy Hill Hospital

The Minister of Health, Mr Robin Swann, responded to a Question for Urgent Oral Answer tabled by Mr Justin McNulty
.

10.2 COVID-19: Restrictions in Holylands

The Minister of Justice, Mrs Naomi Long, responded to a Question for Urgent Oral Answer tabled by Mr Doug Beattie.

11. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 6.40pm.

Mr Alex Maskey
The Speaker
21 September 2020

Northern Ireland Assembly

21 September 2020
Division

Motion: Honouring the EU Withdrawal Agreement Protocol

Proposed:

That this Assembly acknowledges that the majority of citizens voted to reject Brexit; recognises that the departure from the EU gives rise to substantial political and economic challenges for our society; further recognises that while the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland is imperfect, it guarantees that, whatever the circumstances, there will be no hard border on the island and will protect the Good Friday Agreement in all its dimensions, North-South cooperation and the all-island economy; believes it would be entirely unacceptable if the British Government sought to abandon these safeguards and mitigations, as this would amount to a serious betrayal of an existing international treaty; and calls on the British Government to honour its commitments, and to ensure, now, the rigorous and full implementation of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland, prioritise peace and stability, and work to secure a future economic partnership with their EU colleagues now and in the weeks ahead.

Dr Caoimhe Archibald
Mr Declan McAleer
Mr Maolíosa McHugh
Ms Martina Anderson

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 48
Noes: 36

AYES

Ms Anderson, Dr Archibald, Ms Armstrong, Ms Bailey, Mr Blair, Mr Boylan, Ms S Bradley, Ms Bradshaw, Mr Carroll, 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 Lunn, Mr Lynch, Mr Lyttle, Mr McAleer, Mr McCann, Mr McCrossan, 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 Anderson, Dr Archibald.

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 Stewart, Mr Swann, Mr Weir.

Tellers for the Noes: Dr Aiken, Mr Middleton

The motion was carried.

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

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

Mr K Buchanan voted for Ms P Bradley, Mrs Cameron, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, 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 Allen and Mr Swann.

Mr O'Dowd voted for Ms Anderson [Teller, Ayes], Dr Archibald [Teller, Ayes], 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, 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 McGrath, Ms McLaughlin, Mr McNulty.

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 16 September 2020 to 21 September 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

Further Education Sector (NI) Retention and Disposal Schedule (Department for Communities)

Office of the Attorney General for Northern Ireland Retention and Disposal Schedule (Department for Communities)

The Department for Communities Social Fund Account for the year ended 31 March 2019 (Northern Ireland Audit Office)

MRDE Limited Directors' Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2020 (Department for the Economy)

Bedford Street Developments Limited Director's Report and Financial Statements 2019-20 (Department for the Economy)

Invest NI Annual Report and Accounts 2019-20 (Department for the Economy)

The Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner's 2019-20 Annual Report (Department of Justice)

2019-20 Annual Report and Accounts - Department for the Economy (Department of Finance)

Legislative Consent Memorandum - Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill (Department for Communities)

Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2019-20 (Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency)

Legislative Consent Memorandum: Fisheries Bill (Supplementary LCM) – (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)

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

5. Assembly Reports

Report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules to the Assembly and the Appropriate Committees Third Report of Session 2020 - 2021 (NIA 43/17-22) (Examiner of Statutory Rules)

6. Statutory Rules

SR 2020/196 The Goods Vehicles (Testing) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2020/197 The Motor Vehicle Testing (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2020/198 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (Amendment No. 4) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department of Health)

SR 2020/199 The Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 (Amendment of Certain Relevant Periods) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department of Justice)

SR 2020/200 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel) (Amendment No. 11) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department of Health)

For information only

SR 2020/194 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel) (Amendment No. 10) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Explanatory Memorandum only)

7. Written Ministerial Statements

COVID-19 Localised Restrictions (Minister of Health)

8. Consultation Documents

Consultation on a Draft Cross-Departmental COVID-19 Vulnerable Children and Young People's Plan (Department of Health)

9. Departmental Publications

Fees and Charges to Recover the Cost of Processing Discharge Consent Applications and the Regulation of Discharges under the Water (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)

A Scheme of Fees and Charges to Recover the Costs of Processing Licence Applications under the Water Abstraction and Impoundment (Licensing) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)

The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Charging Scheme (Northern Ireland) 2019 (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)

The Pollution Prevention and Control (Industrial Emissions - NIEA) Charging Scheme (Northern Ireland) 2019 (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)

The Radioactive Substances (Fees and Charges) Scheme (Northern Ireland) 2019 (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)

Waste Management Charging (Northern Ireland) Scheme 2019 (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)

10. Agency Publications

Ulster Supported Employment Limited Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2020 (Ulster Supported Employment Limited)

11. Westminster Publications

12. Miscellaneous Publications

PROXY VOTING NOTICES – MONDAY 21 SEPTEMBER 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 21 September 2020