Minutes of Proceedings

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

2017-2022 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills

/ 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: