Minutes of Proceedings

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

1. Prayers

Members observed two minutes' silence.

2. Speaker's Business

Member Resignation

The Speaker informed Members that he had received a letter of resignation from Mr Seán Lynch as a Member of the Assembly for the Fermanagh and South Tyrone constituency with effect from 2 July 2021.

New Member

The Speaker informed Members of notification from the Chief Electoral Officer that Ms Áine Murphy had been returned as a Member for the Fermanagh and South Tyrone constituency.

Ms Murphy gave the undertaking, signed the Roll of Membership and entered her designation in the presence of the Speaker and the Clerk/Chief Executive before the sitting.

3. Matters of the Day

3.1 EU-UK Relations and Solutions to Implementation of Protocol

Mr Stewart Dickson, under Standing Order 24, made a statement on EU-UK Relations and Solutions to Implementation of Protocol. Other Members were also called to speak on the matter.

3.2 Her Majesty The Queen awarding the George Cross to Health and Social Care Workers in Northern Ireland

Mr Doug Beattie, under Standing Order 24, made a statement on Her Majesty The Queen awarding the George Cross to Health and Social Care Workers in Northern Ireland. Other Members were also called to speak on the matter.

4. Assembly Business

4.1 Motion: Nomination to the Regional Chamber of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe

Proposed:

That this Assembly nominates Mr Stewart Dickson to continue as a full member of the Regional Chamber of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe until the end of the current Northern Ireland Assembly mandate.

Ms Joanne Bunting
Mr John O'Dowd
Mrs Dolores Kelly
Mr Robbie Butler
Ms Kellie Armstrong
Ms Clare Bailey

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

4.2 Motion: Committee Membership

Proposed:

That Mr Gordon Lyons replace Mr Jonathan Buckley as a member of the Assembly and Executive Review Committee; and that Mr Stephen Dunne replace Mr Gary Middleton as a member of the Committee for the Economy.

Mr William Humphrey
Mr Keith Buchanan

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

5. Executive Committee Business

5.1 Statement: Scoring Social Value

The Minister of Finance, Mr Conor Murphy, made a statement regarding Scoring Social Value, following which he replied to questions.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

5.2 Motion: The Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 (Coronavirus) (Amendment of Certain Relevant Periods) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021

Proposed:

That the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 (Coronavirus) (Amendment of Certain Relevant Periods) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 be approved.

Minister for the Economy

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

5.3 Motion: The Sea Fish Industry (Coronavirus) (Fixed Costs) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021

Proposed:

That the Sea Fish Industry (Coronavirus) (Fixed Costs) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 be affirmed.

Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

5.4 First Stage: Climate Change (No. 2) Bill (NIA Bill 28/17-22)

The Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Mr Edwin Poots, introduced a bill to set targets for the years 2050, 2040 and 2030 for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions; to provide for a system of carbon budgeting; to provide for reporting and statements against those targets and budgets; to confer power to impose climate change reporting duties on public bodies; to provide for reports and advice from the Committee on Climate Change; and for connected purposes.

The Climate Change (No. 2) Bill (NIA Bill 28/17-22) passed First Stage and was ordered to be printed.

The sitting was suspended at 1.50pm.

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

6. Question Time

6.1 Finance

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Finance, Mr Conor Murphy.

6.2 Health

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

7. Question for Urgent Oral Answer

7.1 PPS Decision not to Prosecute British Soldiers

The Minister of Justice, Mrs Naomi Long, responded to a Question for Urgent Oral Answer tabled by Ms Linda Dillon.

8. Executive Committee Business (cont'd)

8.1 First Stage: Justice (Sexual Offences and Trafficking Victims) Bill (NIA Bill 29/17-22)

The Minister of Justice, Mrs Naomi Long, introduced a bill to make provision about and in connection with sexual offences; regulate particular matters relating to cases of trafficking or exploitation; and amend rules applying with respect to certain sexual or violent offences prevention orders.

The Justice (Sexual Offences and Trafficking Victims) Bill (NIA Bill 29/17-22) passed First Stage and was ordered to be printed.

8.2 First Stage: Organ and Tissue Donation (Deemed Consent) Bill (NIA Bill 30/17-22)

The Minister of Health, Mr Robin Swann, introduced a bill to amend the Human Tissue Act 2004 concerning consent to activities done for the purpose of transplantation and make consequential amendments about the provision of information about such consent.

The Organ and Tissue Donation (Deemed Consent) Bill (NIA Bill 30/17-22) passed First Stage and was ordered to be printed.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Beggs, took the Chair.

8.3 Further Consideration Stage: Local Government (Meetings and Performance) Bill (NIA Bill 26/17-22)

The Minister for Communities, Ms Deirdre Hargey, moved the Consideration Stage of the Local Government (Meetings and Performance) Bill.

Four amendments were tabled to the Bill and selected for debate.

Debate ensued.

After debate, Amendment 1, new Clause, was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 2 to Clause 3 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 3 to Clause 3 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 4 to Schedule 3 was made without division.

NIA Bill 26/17-22 stood referred to the Speaker in accordance with Section 10 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

9. Assembly Business

9.1 Motion: Extension of Sitting on Monday 5 July 2021 under Standing Order 10(3A)

Proposed:

That, in accordance with Standing Order 10(3A), the sitting on Monday 5 July 2021 be extended to no later than 8:00pm.

Ms Joanne Bunting
Mr John O'Dowd
Mrs Dolores Kelly
Mr Robbie Butler
Ms Kellie Armstrong
Ms Clare Bailey

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

10. Committee Business

10.1 Motion: Victims of Historical Institutional Abuse Redress

Proposed:

That this Assembly recognises the discontent of victims of historical institutional abuse with the redress process; further recognises that the delays, the impersonal nature of the judicial process, the disparity of awards, and re-traumatisation are posing difficulties for the victims of historical institutional abuse; and calls on the First Minister and deputy First Minister to carry out a review of the redress process, which should be undertaken alongside the current process and should not in any way impede the operation of the process while the review is under way.

Chairperson, Committee for the Executive Office

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

10.2 Motion: Amend Standing Order 10

Proposed:

In Standing Order 10(1)—

In paragraph (i) leave out "and"

In paragraph (j) leave out "." and insert "; and"

After paragraph (j) insert-

"(k) Members' Statements.".

Chairperson, Committee on Procedures

Motion: New Standing Order

Proposed:

After Standing Order 24 insert: —

"Standing Order 24A: Members' Statements

(1) This order shall apply in any period set aside for members' statements.

(2) A member who wishes to make a statement must rise in his or her place, and may be selected by the Speaker.

(3) When selecting a member to make a statement, the Speaker shall have regard to the balance of opinions in the Assembly.

(4) No member may intervene during a statement.

(5) No vote will be taken, and there shall be no questions, following a statement.

(6) A statement must relate to a [topical] matter of public interest and must not:

(a) exceed three minutes in duration;

(b) relate to a matter scheduled for debate in the Assembly;

(c) address a question that has already been decided by the Assembly within the previous 6 months; or

(d) be used to impugn or to attack another member.".

Chairperson, Committee on Procedures

A single debate ensued on both motions.

The Question being put, the motion to Amend Standing Order 10 was carried with cross-community support.

The Question being put, the motion on a New Standing Order was carried with cross-community support.

11. Private Members' Business

11.1 First Stage: Autism (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 31/17-22)

Mrs Pam Cameron introduced a bill to Amend the Autism (Northern Ireland) Act 2011.

The Autism (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 31/17-22) passed First Stage and was ordered to be printed.

12. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 6.19pm.

Mr Alex Maskey
The Speaker
5 July 2021

Local Government (Meetings and Performance) Bill Annotated Marshalled List of Amendments Further Consideration Stage

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 30 June 2021 to 5 July 2021.

1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly

2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly

Climate Change (No. 2) Bill (NIA Bill 28/17-22)

Justice (Sexual Offences and Trafficking Victims) Bill (NIA Bill 29/17-22)

Organ and Tissue Donation (Deemed Consent) Bill (NIA Bill 30/17-22)

Autism (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 31/17-22)

3. Orders in Council

4. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

Council for Catholic Maintained Schools Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2021 (Department of Education)

Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2021 (Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta)

Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation Annual Report for 2020/21 (Department for the Economy)

Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company Annual Report and Accounts 2020-21 (Department for Infrastructure)

Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment 2020-21 Annual Report and Accounts (Department of Education)

The Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education Directors' Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2021 (Department of Education)

Public Health Agency (PHA) Annual Report and Accounts 2020-21 (Department of Health)

Health and Social Care Board (HSCB) Annual Report and Accounts 2020-21 (Department of Health)

5. Assembly Reports

6. Statutory Rules

SR 2021/190 The Housing (Notification of Disposals and Mortgages) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department for Communities)

SR 2021/196 The Agriculture (Student fees) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)

SR 2021/197 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 8) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department of Health)

SR 2021/198 The Establishment and Agencies (Fitness of Workers) (Revocation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department of Health)

SR 2021/199 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 9) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department of Health)

For information only

SR 2021/192 The Parking and Waiting Restrictions (Ballyclare) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2021/195 The Roads (Speed Limit) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2021/194 The Waiting Restrictions (Whitehead) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2021/193 The Waiting Restrictions and Urban Clearways (John Street and Kevlin Road, Omagh) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2021/191 The Road Races (Armoy Motorcycle Road Race) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2021/200 The Parking and Waiting Restrictions (Belfast) (Amendment No. 2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department for Infrastructure)

7. Written Ministerial Statements

Special Rules for Terminal Illness (Minister for Communities)

Muckamore Abbey Public Inquiry (Minister of Health)

8. Consultation Documents

9. Departmental Publications

Strategic Investment Board Limited (SIB) Annual Review and Financial Statements 2020/21 (The Executive Office)

10. Agency Publications

Press Recognition Panel Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2021 (Press Recognition Panel)

Statistical Review of Northern Ireland Agriculture 2020 (Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency)

11. Westminster Publications

12. Miscellaneous Publications

PROXY VOTING NOTICES – MONDAY 5 JULY 2021

The following Members notified the Speaker, under Standing Order 112, that they wished to avail of proxy voting arrangements for the sitting on Monday 5 July 2021: