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 Royal Assent

The Speaker advised Members that Royal Assent had been signified on 23 March 2021 to The Budget Act (Northern Ireland) 2021.

3. Private Members' Business

3.1 Motion: Breaches of Executive COVID-19 Messaging by Ministers

Proposed:

That this Assembly acknowledges the pain endured by families across Northern Ireland who have experienced loss during the COVID-19 crisis; expresses its sincere condolences to those who, in periods of trauma and loss, were unable to say goodbye to loved ones; further expresses its gratitude to those who have followed the public health guidelines and played their part in keeping their neighbours, communities and the health service safe; regrets the actions of those in positions of elected office who breached the Executive's public health messaging and undermined efforts to prevent transmission of the virus; and condemns the deputy First Minister and the Minister of Finance for their actions which have caused immense hurt and undermined the Executive's public health message.

Ms Nichola Mallon
Mr Colin McGrath
Ms Clare Bailey
Mr Doug Beattie

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

4. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 2.01pm.

Mr Alex Maskey
The Speaker
1 April 2021

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 24 March 2021 to 1 April 2021

1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly

The Budget Act (Northern Ireland) 2021

2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly

3. Orders in Council

4. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

Livestock and Meat Commission Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2019 (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)

Livestock and Meat Commission Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2018 (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)

Livestock and Meat Commission Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2017 (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)

Quarterly Sickness Absence in the Northern Ireland Civil Service October 2020 - December 2020 (Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency)

Scheme Defining the Categories of Financial and Other Interests that are Registrable by Ministers and Special Advisers, Including Gifts and Hospitality (Department of Finance)

Financial Services Bill Memorandum (Department of Justice)

Minute on the Direction of Accruing Resources (Department of Finance)

CJI Follow up Review of the 2018 Without Witness inspection which examined the handling of sexual violence and abuse cases by the criminal Justice system in Northern Ireland (Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland)

5. Assembly Reports

The Code of Conduct and The Guide to the Rules relating to the Conduct of Members (NIA 85/17-22) (Committee on Standards and Privileges)

6. Statutory Rules

SR 2021/71 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (Amendment No. 6) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department of Health)

SR 2021/74 The Business Tenancies (Coronavirus) (Restriction on Forfeiture: Relevant Period) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2021 (Department of Finance)

SR 2021/75 The Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 (Coronavirus) (Amendment of Certain Relevant Periods) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department for the Economy)

SR 2021/81 The Licensing (Designation of Outdoor Stadia) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department for Communities)

SR 2021/82 The Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department for Communities)

SR 2021/83 The Social Security Benefits Up-rating Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department for Communities)

SR 2021/84 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel) (Amendment No. 10) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department of Health)

SR 2021/85 The Education (Student Fees and Support) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department for the Economy)

SR 2021/86 - The Financial Assistance (Coronavirus) (Industrial Business) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department of Finance)

SR 2021/87 - The Financial Assistance (Coronavirus) (Business Support) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department of Finance)

SR 2021/88 - The Financial Assistance (Coronavirus) (Large Business) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department of Finance)

SR 2021/89 - The Financial Assistance (Coronavirus) (Soft Play Businesses) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department of Finance)

SR 2021/90 - The Financial Assistance (Coronavirus) (Airports) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department of Finance)

SR 2021/91 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (Amendment No. 7) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department of Health)

For information only

Explanatory Memorandum for SR 2021/69 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel) (Amendment No. 9) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department of Health)

Explanatory Memorandum for SR 2021/71 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (Amendment No. 6) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department of Health)

SR 2021/73 The Employment Rights (Increase of Limits) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department for the Economy)

SR 2021/72 The Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department of Finance)

SR 2021/76 The Parking and Waiting Restrictions (Crumlin) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2021/77 The Parking and Waiting Restrictions (Londonderry) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2021/78 The Parking and Waiting Restrictions (Carrickfergus) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021(Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2021/79 The Parking Places, Loading Bays and Waiting Restrictions (Coleraine) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2021/80 The Road Races (Knockagh Hill Climb) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2021/92 The Pensions Increase (Review) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department of Finance)

7. Written Ministerial Statements

Public Inquiry into Hyponatraemia Related Deaths Implementation Programme (Minister of Health)

Infected Blood Financial Support (Minister of Health)

2020-21 Public Expenditure Allocations (Minister of Finance)

Decisions of the Executive on COVID-19, 25 March 2021 (The Executive Office)

Update on 2021-22 Final Budget (Minister of Finance)

8. Consultation Documents

Consultation on reforming the UK packaging producer responsibility system and the introduction of a deposit return scheme in England, Northern Ireland and Wales

9. Departmental Publications

Memorandum on the Third Report from the Public Accounts Committee Mandate 2017-2022 (Department of Finance)

Provision of Youth Services (Northern Ireland) Temporary Continuity Direction (No. 3) 2021 (Department of Education)

10. Agency Publications

Northern Ireland Local Government Commissioner for Standards Annual Report 2019-20 (Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman)

Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Ombudsman Annual Report 2019-20 (Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman)

11. Westminster Publications

12. Miscellaneous Publications

PROXY VOTING NOTICES – THURSDAY 1 APRIL 2021

The following Members notified the Speaker, under Standing Order 112, that they wished to avail of proxy voting arrangements for the sitting on Thursday 1 April 2021: