Minutes of Proceedings

Session: Session currently unavailable

Date: 11 May 2021

The Assembly met at 10.30am, the Speaker in the Chair.

1. Prayers

Members observed two minutes' silence.


2. Executive Committee Business

2.1 Statement: Redevelopment of CAFRE's Greenmount and Loughry Campuses and the Development of New Beef Facilities at AFBI and CAFRE

The Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Mr Edwin Poots, made a statement regarding the Redevelopment of CAFRE's Greenmount and Loughry Campuses and the Development of New Beef Facilities at AFBI and CAFRE, following which he replied to questions.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.


3. Private Members' Business

3.1 Motion: Autism Strategy

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes with deep concern that, by the end of 2020, almost 4,500 children across Health and Social Care Trusts were awaiting diagnosis for autism, with some reportedly waiting more than 2 years; recognises the distress and harm that this places on those awaiting diagnosis and tailored support services, as well as on their families; expresses its concern at the growing inequality of access to autism services and diagnosis; further notes the stark difference in waiting times across Health and Social Care Trusts; and calls on the Minister of Health to bring forward a longer-term strategy, to be progressed urgently in partnership with those with autism, their families, carers, and community and voluntary sector organisations, to ensure equality of care and services that are free at the point of access and based on need.

Mr Colm Gildernew
Ms Cáral Ní Chuilín
Ms Órlaithí Flynn
Ms Karen Mullan


Amendment

Proposed:

Leave out all after the first 'awaiting' and insert:
"a diagnostic assessment for autism, with some reportedly waiting more than 2 years which exceeds the autism assessment standard of 13 weeks from the point of the initial referral; recognises the distress and harm that this places on those awaiting diagnosis and tailored support services, as well as on their families; expresses its concern at the growing inequality of access to autism services and diagnosis; further notes the stark difference in waiting times across Health and Social Care Trusts; and calls on the Minister of Health to bring forward a longer-term strategy which sets out measurable targets against which its successes may be assessed by an independent body, to be progressed urgently in partnership with those with autism, their families, carers, and community and voluntary sector organisations, to ensure equality of care and services that are free at the point of access and based on need."

Mrs Pam Cameron
Mr Jonathan Buckley
Ms Paula Bradley

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the amendment was made.

The Question being put, the motion as amended was carried.

3.2 Motion: Strategies to Protect Peatlands and Woodlands

Proposed:

That this Assembly pays tribute to the heroic efforts by those emergency service personnel from across these islands and the local community who responded to the recent wildfires in the Mournes; notes the importance of preserving the natural environment for improving air quality, biodiversity, carbon capture and combatting the climate emergency; further notes the importance of both rewilding and protecting peatlands in tackling the climate emergency; and calls on the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to produce fully resourced strategies and implementation plans to protect, preserve and enhance our peatlands and woodlands without further delay.

Mr Patsy McGlone
Mrs Dolores Kelly
Mr Colin McGrath
Ms Sinead Bradley

Debate ensued.

The sitting was suspended at 12.56pm.

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

 

4. Question Time

4.1 Education

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Education, Mr Peter Weir.

 

5. Private Members' Business (Cont'd)

5.1 Motion: Strategies to Protect Peatlands and Woodlands (cont'd)

Debate resumed.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

The Speaker took the Chair.

 

6. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

Ms Jemma Dolan spoke to her topic regarding the Enniskillen Bypass and A4 Upgrade.

The Assembly adjourned at 4.36pm.

Mr Alex Maskey
The Speaker
11 May 2021

 

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 11 May 2021


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

5. Assembly Reports

Report on the Estimates of the Northern Ireland Audit Office and the Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman 2021-22 (NIA 95/17-22) (Audit Committee)

6. Statutory Rules

SR 2021/120 The Whole of Government Accounts (Designation of Bodies) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department of Finance)

SR 2021/121 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department of Health)

7. Written Ministerial Statements

The A4 Enniskillen Bypass (Department for Infrastructure)

8. Consultation Documents

9. Departmental Publications

10. Agency Publications

11. Westminster Publications

12. Miscellaneous Publications


Northern Ireland Assembly Legislation:

Stages in Consideration of Public Bills

First Stage: Introduction of Bill.

Second Stage: General debate of the Bill with an opportunity for Members to vote on its general principles.

Committee Stage (Comm. Stage): Detailed investigation by a Committee which concludes with the publication of a report for consideration by the Assembly.

Consideration Stage (CS): Consideration by the Assembly of, and an opportunity for Members to vote on, the details of the Bill including amendments proposed to the Bill.

Further Consideration Stage (FCS): Consideration by the Assembly of, and an opportunity for Members to vote on, further amendments to the Bill.

Final Stage: Passing or rejecting of Bill by the Assembly, without further amendment.

Royal Assent.

Proceedings as 11 May 2021

2017-2022 Mandate
Executive Bills

Title &
NIA Bill Number

First
Stage

Second Stage

Comm. Stage to Conclude

Report Ordered to be Printed

CS

FCS

Final Stage

Royal Assent

Budget Bill (NIA Bill 02/17-22)

24/02/20

25/02/20

/

/

02/03/20

03/03/20

09/03/20

26/03/20

Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Bill (NIA Bill 03/17-22)

31/03/20

28/04/20

15/10/20

15/10/20

17/11/20

15/12/20

18/01/21

01/03/21

Private Tenancies (Coronavirus Modifications) Bill (NIA Bill 04/17-22)

21/04/20

21/04/20

/

/

28/04/20

/

28/04/20

04/05/20

Budget (No. 2) Bill (NIA Bill 05/17-22)

26/05/20

26/05/20

/

/

01/06/20

02/06/20

02/06/20

17/06/20

Housing Amendment Bill (NIA Bill 06/17-22)

26/05/20

01/06/20

/

/

16/06/20

23/06/20

30/06/20

28/08/20

Pension Schemes Bill (NIA Bill 07/17-22)

23/06/20

07/07/20

29/01/21

19/11/20

04/05/21

 

 

 

Executive Committee (Functions) Bill (NIA Bill 08/17-22)

06/07/20

06/07/20

/

/

21/07/20

27/07/20

28/07/20

25/08/20

Budget (No. 3) Bill

(NIA Bill 09/17-22)

19/10/20

20/10/20

/

/

02/11/20

09/11/20

10/11/20

25/11/20

The Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Bill

(NIA Bill 10/17-22)

19/10/20

03/11/20

15/05/21

 

 

 

 

 

The Criminal Justice (Committal Reform) Bill (NIA Bill 11/17-22)

03/11/20

16/11/20

11/06/21

 

 

 

 

 

The Harbours (Grants and Loans Limit) Bill (NIA Bill 12/17-22)

23/11/20

01/12/20

/

/

14/12/20

19/01/21

25/01/21

01/03/21

Protection from Stalking Bill (NIA Bill 14/17-22)

18/01/20

08/02/21

10/12/21

 

 

 

 

 

The Damages (Return on Investment) Bill (NIA Bill 16/17-22)

01/03/21

09/03/21

28/10/21

 

 

 

 

 

Budget Bill (NIA Bill 17/17-22)

01/03/21

02/03/21

/

/

08/03/21

09/03/21

09/03/21

23/03/21

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


08/03/21

 

16/03/21

01/10/21

 

 

 

 

 

Horse Racing (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 20/17-22)

13/04/21

26/04/21

09/06/21

 

 

 

 

 

2017-2022 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills

Title &
NIA Bill Number

First
Stage

Second Stage

Comm. Stage to Conclude

Report Ordered to be Printed

CS

FCS

Final Stage

Royal Assent

Functioning of Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill (NIA Bill 01/17-22)

03/02/20

16/03/20

02/12/20

11/11/20

24/11/20

19/01/21

02/02/20

22/03/21

Assembly Members (Remuneration Board) Bill

(NIA Bill 13/17-22)

14/12/20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Severe Fetal Impairment Abortion (Amendment) Bill

(NIA Bill 15/17-22)

16/02/21

15/03/21

19/11/21

 

 

 

 

 

Climate Change Bill (NIA Bill 19/17-22)

22/03/21

10/05/21

26/06/21

 

 

 

 

 


/ Bills progressing by accelerated passage

PROXY VOTING NOTICES – TUESDAY 11 MAY 2021

The following Members notified the Speaker, under Standing Order 112, that they wished to avail of proxy voting arrangements for the sitting on Tuesday 11 May 2021:

Steve Aiken

Naomi Long

Andy Allen

Gordon Lyons

Martina Anderson

Séan Lynch

Caoimhe Archibald

Chris Lyttle

Kellie Armstrong

Nichola Mallon

Roy Beggs

Declan McAleer

Cathal Boylan

Fra McCann

Paula Bradley

Daniel McCrossan

Sinead Bradley

Patsy McGlone

Paula Bradshaw

Philip McGuigan

Nicola Brogan

Maolíosa McHugh

Keith Buchanan

Sinead McLaughlin

Pat Catney

Justin McNulty

Alan Chambers

Andrew Muir

Stewart Dickson

Karen Mullan

Linda Dillon

Conor Murphy

Diane Dodds

Mike Nesbitt

Jemma Dolan

Robin Newton

Gordon Dunne

Carál Ní Chuilín

Mark Durkan

John O’Dowd

Alex Easton

Michelle O’Neill

Arlene Foster

Matthew O’Toole

Órlaithí Flynn

Edwin Poots

Colm Gildernew

George Robinson

Paul Givan

Emma Rogan

Deirdre Hargey

Pat Sheehan

Harry Harvey

Emma Sheerin

Cara Hunter

Christopher Stalford

William Irwin

John Stewart

Declan Kearney

Mervyn Storey

Dolores Kelly

Robin Swann

Gerry Kelly

Peter Weir

Liz Kimmins