Minutes of Proceedings

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

1. Prayers

Members observed two minutes' silence.

2. Speakers' Business

2.1 The late Mr Jimmy Spratt

3. Public Petition

3.1 Urgent Provision of a Detox and Centre of Excellence for Addiction for the Derry City and Strabane District Council Area

Ms Karen Mullan was granted leave, in accordance with Standing Order 22, to present a Public Petition on the Urgent Provision of a Detox and Centre of Excellence for Addiction for the Derry City and Strabane District Council Area.

4. Matter of the Day

4.1 Withdrawal Agreement Grace Periods

Mr Declan McAleer, under Standing Order 24, made a statement on the Withdrawal Agreement Grace Periods. Other Members were also called to speak on the matter.

5. Assembly Business

Motion: Severe Fetal Impairment Abortion (Amendment) Bill - Standing Order 34

Proposed:

That the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission be asked to advise whether the Severe Fetal Impairment Abortion (Amendment) Bill is compatible with human rights.

Ms Paula Bradshaw

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

6. Executive Committee Business

6.1 First Stage: The Health and Social Care Bill (NIA Bill 18/17-22)

The Minister of Health, Mr Robin Swann, introduced a Bill to dissolve the Regional Health and Social Care Board; to make provision for and in connection with the exercise by the Department of Health and Health and Social Care trusts of the functions of the Board; and for connected purposes.

The Health and Social Care Bill (NIA Bill 18/17-22) passed First Stage and was ordered to be printed.

6.2 Consideration Stage: Budget Bill (NIA Bill 17/17-22)

The Minister of Finance, Mr Conor Murphy, moved the Consideration Stage of the Budget Bill.

No amendments were selected for debate.

Clauses

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clauses 1 to 8 stand part of the Bill.

Schedules

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Schedules 1 to 4 stand part of the Bill.

Long Title

The question being put, the Long Title was agreed without division.

NIA Bill 17/17-22 stood referred to the Speaker.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

7. Committee Business

7.1 Motion: Extension of Committee Stage: Protection from Stalking Bill (NIA Bill 14/17-22)

Proposed:

That, in accordance with Standing Order 33(4), the period referred to in Standing Order 33(2) be extended to 10 December 2021, in relation to the Committee Stage of the Protection from Stalking Bill (NIA Bill 14/17-22).

Chairperson, Committee for Justice

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

7.2 Motion: Amend Standing Order 112

Proposed:

Leave out Standing Order 112(8) and insert:

(8) Except where paragraph 8A applies, a notice under paragraph (3) must be given to the Speaker's Office not later than 9:30am on the sitting day (or as the case may be the first sitting day) on which M intends P to vote on M's behalf.

(8A) This paragraph applies where M becomes aware, in the course of a sitting day, that he or she is required to self-isolate in order to comply with public health regulations or guidance. Where this paragraph applies a notice under paragraph (3) may be given to the Speaker after 9:30am but such notice:

a. must be given as soon as possible and in any event a reasonable time before any vote on the item or items of business to which the notice applies; and

b. must state when M became aware that he or she was required to self-isolate in order to comply with public health regulations or guidance.

Chairperson, Committee on Procedures

Debate ensued.

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

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Beggs, took the Chair.

7.3 Motion: Committee for the Economy Skills Strategy and Economic Output Micro Inquiry Special Report

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes the Committee for the Economy's Special Report (NIA 79/17-22) providing evidence from stakeholders to inform the forthcoming Skills Strategy; supports the development of a cross-departmental and inclusive approach to skills development; recognises the need for collaboration between the public sector, employers, industry, and all levels of education to ensure that our people have the right skills and access to lifelong learning; and calls on the Minister for the Economy and her Executive colleagues to use this evidence in planning for the new Skills Strategy

Chairperson, Committee for the Economy

Debate ensued.

The Assembly was suspended for Question Time.

The Speaker took the Chair.

8. Question Time

8.1 The Executive Office

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

8.2 Communities

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister for Communities, Ms Deirdre Hargey.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Beggs, took the Chair.

9. Committee Business (cont'd)

9.1 Motion: Committee for the Economy Skills Strategy and Economic Output Micro Inquiry Special Report (cont'd)

Debate resumed.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

10. Private Members' Business

10.1 Motion: Promoting a Gender-sensitive Assembly

Proposed:

That this Assembly, on International Women's Day, notes Recommendation 12 of the Assembly and Executive Review Committee report, entitled Women in Politics and the Northern Ireland Assembly, which proposed that the Assembly should consider adopting measures to create a gender-sensitive Assembly; and endorses the recommendations in the Gender-sensitive Assembly Action Plan as put forward by the Northern Ireland Assembly Women's Caucus.

Ms Clare Bailey
Ms Jemma Dolan
Ms Kellie Armstrong
Ms Sinéad Bradley
Ms Paula Bradley
Mrs Rosemary Barton

Debate ensued.

The Speaker took the Chair.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

11. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 5.40pm.

Mr Alex Maskey
The Speaker
8 March 2021

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 3 March 2021 to 8 March 2021

1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly

The Health and Social Care Bill (NIA Bill 18/17-22)

2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly

3. Orders in Council

4. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

Local Government Auditor's Code of Audit Practice 2021 (Department for Communities)

20th Historic Buildings Council Report 2016-2020 (Department for Communities)

Revised Food Law Code of Practice (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Food Standards Agency in Northern Ireland)

Triennial Weights and Measures Report for the period 1 April 2014 to 31 March 2017 (Department for the Economy)

5. Assembly Reports

6. Statutory Rules

SR 2021/Draft The Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department of Finance)

SR 2021/47 The Recovery of Health Services Charges (Amounts) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department of Health)

SR 2021/48 The Guaranteed Minimum Pensions Increase Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department for Communities)

SR 2021/49 The Ballyboley Road, Larne (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2021/50 The Education (Student Support, etc.) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department for the Economy)

SR 2021/54 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel) (Amendment No.8) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department of Health)

For information only

Revised version of SR 2021/46 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (Amendment No.5) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department of Health)

Explanatory Memorandum for SR 2021/46 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (Amendment No.5) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department of Health)

7. Written Ministerial Statements

Appointment of Chair of the Southern Health Trust Urology Public Inquiry (Minister of Health)

8. Consultation Documents

9. Departmental Publications

10. Agency Publications

11. Westminster Publications

12. Miscellaneous Publications

PROXY VOTING NOTICES – MONDAY 8 MARCH 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 8 March 2021: