Minutes of Proceedings
Session: Session currently unavailable
Date: 15 June 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: Northstone (NI) Asphalt Resurfacing
The Minister for Infrastructure, Ms Nichola Mallon, made a statement regarding Northstone (NI) Asphalt Resurfacing, following which she replied to questions.
The Deputy Speaker, Mr Beggs, took the Chair.
2.2 Statement: Publication of the Elective Care Framework
The Minister of Health, Mr Robin Swann, made a statement regarding the Publication of the Elective Care Framework, following which he replied to questions.
2.3 Motion: The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 4) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021
Proposed:
That the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 4) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 be approved.
Minister of Health
Motion: The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 5) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021
Proposed:
That the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 5) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 be approved.
Minister of Health
Motion: The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021
Proposed:
That the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 be approved.
Minister of Health
A single debate ensued on all three motions.
The Question being put, the motion on the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 4) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 was carried.
The Question being put, the motion on the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 5) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 was carried.
The Question being put, the motion on the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 was carried.
The sitting was suspended at 1.02pm.
The sitting resumed at 2.00pm, with the Speaker in the Chair.
3. Question Time
3.1 Infrastructure
Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister for Infrastructure, Ms Nichola Mallon.
The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.
3.2 Assembly Commission
Questions were put to, and answered by, Member of the Assembly Commission.
4. Committee Business
4.1 Motion: Carers' Support
Proposed:
That this Assembly acknowledges the invaluable role unpaid carers have within society; further acknowledges that Carers Week was from 7 to 13 June 2021; notes that many unpaid carers are unseen and unsupported by public services; further notes that unpaid carers are a diverse group with varying needs; recognises that the COVID-19 restrictions, including the withdrawal of respite and day care services, have had a detrimental impact on carers and those they care for; further recognises the efforts to provide carers with a COVID-19 recognition grant; calls on the Minister of Health to urgently rebuild respite services, day care services, and to deliver the carers COVID-19 recognition grant; and further calls on the Minister to begin, immediately, work on a carers register that will include all carers in receipt of carers allowance, attendance allowance, as well as all other carers who are excluded from financial help due to the maximum income threshold limit, and to work with the wider Executive to make carers more visible and valued by public services.
Chairperson, Committee for Health
Debate ensued.
The Deputy Speaker, Mr McGlone, took the Chair.
The Question being put, the motion was carried.
4.2 Motion: Amend Standing Order 110
Proposed:
Leave out Standing Order 110 (1) and insert:-
(1) Unless the Assembly previously resolves, Standing Orders 110-116 ('the temporary provisions') apply in the period from 31st March 2020 to the end of the 2017-22 mandate.
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.
4.3 Motion: Simultaneous Interpretation of Assembly Business in Irish and Ulster Scots, as set out in 'New Decade, New Approach'
Proposed:
That this Assembly notes the provision in paragraph 5.21.2 of New Decade, New Approach, to allow any person to conduct their business before the Assembly or an Assembly Committee through Irish or Ulster Scots; further notes that a simultaneous translation system will be made available in the Assembly to ensure that a person without Irish or Ulster Scots is not placed at a disadvantage; and, as provided for in Section 40(5) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, directs the Assembly Commission to provide a simultaneous and passive system for interpretation in the Assembly that is capable of supporting one meeting at any one time; and calls on the Assembly Commission to make any other arrangements as may be necessary for the operation of such a system.
Chairperson, Committee on Procedures
Amendment
Proposed:
Insert after the first 'Assembly Commission':
', where there is appropriate demand and subject to review after 6 months,'
Mr Robbie Butler
Mr Andy Allen
Debate ensued.
The Question being put, the amendment was made (Division 1).
The Question being put, the motion as amended was carried (Division 2).
5. Adjournment
Proposed:
That the Assembly do now adjourn.
The Speaker
The Assembly adjourned at 6.42pm.
Mr Alex Maskey
The Speaker
15 June 2021
Northern Ireland Assembly
15 June 2021 - Division 1
Motion: Simultaneous Interpretation of Assembly Business in Irish and Ulster Scots, as set out in 'New Decade, New Approach' – Amendment
Proposed:
Insert after the first 'Assembly Commission':
', where there is appropriate demand and subject to review after 6 months,'
Mr Robbie Butler
Mr Andy Allen
The Question was put and the Assembly divided.
Ayes: 44
Noes: 41
AYES
Dr Aiken, Mr Allen, Mr Allister, Ms Armstrong, Mrs Barton, Mr Beattie, Mr Blair, Mr M Bradley, Ms P Bradley, Ms Bradshaw, Mr K Buchanan, Mr T Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Ms Bunting, Mr Butler, Mrs Cameron, Mr Chambers, Mr Clarke, Mr Dickson, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Mr Easton, Mr Frew, Mr Givan, Mr Harvey, Mr Hilditch, Mr Humphrey, Mr Irwin, Mrs Long, Mr Lyons, Mr Lyttle, Miss McIlveen, Mr Middleton, Mr Muir, Mr Nesbitt, Mr Newton, Mr Poots, Mr Robinson, Mr Stalford, Mr Stewart, Mr Storey, Ms Sugden, Mr Swann, Mr Weir.
Tellers for the Ayes: Ms Armstrong, Mr Nesbitt.
NOES
Ms Anderson, Dr Archibald, Ms Bailey, Mr Boylan, Ms S Bradley, Ms Brogan, Mr Carroll, Mr Catney, Ms Dillon, Ms Dolan, Mr Durkan, Ms Ennis, Ms Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Ms Hargey, Ms Hunter, Mr Kearney, Mrs D Kelly, Mr G Kelly, Ms Kimmins, Mr Lynch, Mr McAleer, Mr McCann, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McGuigan, Mr McHugh, Ms McLaughlin, Mr McNulty, Ms Mallon, Ms Mullan, Mr Murphy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mr O'Dowd, Mrs O'Neill, Mr O'Toole, Ms Rogan, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin, Miss Woods.
Tellers for the Noes: Mr Lynch, Mr Sheehan.
The amendment was made.
The following Members' votes were cast by their notified proxy in this division:
Ms Bradshaw voted for Ms Armstrong [Teller, Ayes], Mr Blair, Mr Dickson, Mrs Long, Mr Lyttle and Mr Muir.
Ms Bunting voted for Mr M Bradley, Ms P Bradley, Mr K Buchanan, Mr T Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Mr Dunne, Mr Easton, Mr Frew, Mr Givan, Mr Harvey, Mr Hilditch, Mr Irwin, Mr Lyons, Miss McIlveen, Mr Middleton, Mr Poots, Mr Robinson, Mr Stalford, Mr Storey and Mr Weir.
Mr Butler voted for Dr Aiken, Mr Allen, Mrs Barton, Mr Chambers, Mr Nesbitt [Teller, Ayes], Mr Stewart and Mr Swann.
Mr O'Dowd voted for Ms Anderson, Dr Archibald, Mr Boylan, Ms Brogan, Ms Dillon, Ms Dolan, Ms Ennis, Ms Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Ms Hargey, Mr Kearney, Mr G Kelly, Ms Kimmins, Mr Lynch [Teller, Noes], Mr McAleer, Mr McCann, Mr McGuigan, Mr McHugh, Ms Mullan, Mr Murphy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mrs O'Neill, Ms Rogan, Mr Sheehan [Teller, Noes] and Ms Sheerin.
Ms S Bradley voted for Mr Catney, Mr Durkan, Ms Hunter, Mrs D Kelly, Ms Mallon, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Ms McLaughlin, Mr McNulty and Mr O'Toole.
Ms Bailey voted for Ms Sugden.
Northern Ireland Assembly
15 June 2021 - Division 2
Motion: Simultaneous Interpretation of Assembly Business in Irish and Ulster Scots, as set out in 'New Decade, New Approach' (As Amended)
Proposed:
That this Assembly notes the provision in paragraph 5.21.2 of 'New Decade, New Approach', to allow any person to conduct their business before the Assembly or an Assembly Committee through Irish or Ulster Scots; further notes that a simultaneous translation system will be made available in the Assembly to ensure that a person without Irish or Ulster Scots is not placed at a disadvantage; and, as provided for in section 40(5) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, directs the Assembly Commission, where there is appropriate demand and subject to review after six months, to provide a simultaneous and passive system for interpretation in the Assembly that is capable of supporting one meeting at any one time; and calls on the Assembly Commission to make any other arrangements as may be necessary for the operation of such a system.
The Question was put and the Assembly divided.
Ayes: 58
Noes: 27
AYES
Dr Aiken, Mr Allen, Ms Anderson, Dr Archibald, Ms Armstrong, Ms Bailey, Mrs Barton, Mr Beattie, Mr Blair, Mr Boylan, Ms S Bradley, Ms Bradshaw, Ms Brogan, Mr Butler, Mr Carroll, Mr Catney, Mr Chambers, Mr Dickson, Ms Dillon, Ms Dolan, Mr Durkan, Ms Ennis, Ms Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Ms Hargey, Ms Hunter, Mr Kearney, Mrs D Kelly, Mr G Kelly, Ms Kimmins, Mrs Long, Mr Lynch, Mr Lyttle, Mr McAleer, Mr McCann, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McGuigan, Mr McHugh, Ms McLaughlin, Mr McNulty, Ms Mallon, Mr Muir, Ms Mullan, Mr Murphy, Mr Nesbitt, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mr O'Dowd, Mrs O'Neill, Mr O'Toole, Ms Rogan, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin, Mr Stewart, Ms Sugden, Mr Swann, Miss Woods.
Tellers for the Ayes: Ms Ennis, Mr Sheehan.
NOES
Mr Allister, Mr M Bradley, Ms P Bradley, Mr K Buchanan, Mr T Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Ms Bunting, Mrs Cameron, Mr Clarke, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Mr Easton, Mr Frew, Mr Givan, Mr Harvey, Mr Hilditch, Mr Humphrey, Mr Irwin, Mr Lyons, Miss McIlveen, Mr Middleton, Mr Newton, Mr Poots, Mr Robinson, Mr Stalford, Mr Storey, Mr Weir.
Tellers for the Noes: Mr T Buchanan, Mr Clarke.
The motion as amended was carried.
The following Members' votes were cast by their notified proxy in this division:
Ms Bradshaw voted for Ms Armstrong, Mr Blair, Mr Dickson, Mrs Long, Mr Lyttle and Mr Muir.
Ms Bunting voted for Mr M Bradley, Ms P Bradley, Mr K Buchanan, Mr T Buchanan [Teller, Noes], Mr Buckley, Mr Dunne, Mr Easton, Mr Frew, Mr Givan, Mr Harvey, Mr Hilditch, Mr Irwin, Mr Lyons, Miss McIlveen, Mr Middleton, Mr Poots, Mr Robinson, Mr Stalford, Mr Storey and Mr Weir.
Mr Butler voted for Dr Aiken, Mr Allen, Mrs Barton, Mr Chambers, Mr Nesbitt, Mr Stewart and Mr Swann.
Mr O'Dowd voted for Ms Anderson, Dr Archibald, Mr Boylan, Ms Brogan, Ms Dillon, Ms Dolan, Ms Ennis [Teller, Ayes], Ms Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Ms Hargey, Mr Kearney, Mr G Kelly, Ms Kimmins, Mr Lynch, Mr McAleer, Mr McCann, Mr McGuigan, Mr McHugh, Ms Mullan, Mr Murphy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mrs O'Neill, Ms Rogan, Mr Sheehan [Teller, Ayes] and Ms Sheerin.
Ms S Bradley voted for Mr Catney, Mr Durkan, Ms Hunter, Mrs D Kelly, Ms Mallon, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Ms McLaughlin, Mr McNulty and Mr O'Toole.
Ms Bailey voted for Ms Sugden.
Northern Ireland Assembly
Papers Presented to the Assembly on 15 June 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
Social Fund Account for the year ended March 2020 (Northern Ireland Audit Office)
5. Assembly Reports
Report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules to the Assembly and the Appropriate Committees Forty-second Report of Session 2020 – 2021 (NIA 110/17-22) (Examiner of Statutory Rules)
6. Statutory Rules
SR 2021/160 The Public Health Notifiable Diseases Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department of Health)
SR 2021/161 The Sea Fish Industry (Coronavirus) (Fixed Costs) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)
For information only
Correct version of Draft SR - The Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (Relevant Benefits) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department of Justice)
7. Written Ministerial Statements
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 15 June 2021
2017-2022 Mandate
Executive Bills
Title & |
First |
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 |
17/05/21 |
01/06/21 |
|
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 |
13/05/21 |
08/06/21 |
|
|
|
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) |
|
16/03/21 |
01/10/21 |
|
|
|
|
|
Horse Racing (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 20/17-22) |
13/04/21 |
26/04/21 |
28/01/22 |
|
|
|
|
|
The Financial Reporting (Departments and Public Bodies) Bill (NIA Bill 21/17-22) |
01/06/21 |
14/06/21 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Bill (NIA Bill 22/17-22) |
01/06/21 |
14/06/21 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Budget (No.2) Bill (NIA Bill 24/17-22) |
07/06/21 |
08/06/21 |
/ |
/ |
14/06/21 |
|
|
|
Local Government (Meetings and Performance) Bill (NIA Bill 26/17-22) |
14/06/21 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2017-2022 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills
Title & |
First |
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 |
17/12/21 |
|
|
|
|
|
The Integrated Education Bill (NIA Bill 23/17-22) |
01/06/21 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Defamation Bill (NIA Bill 25/17-22) |
07/06/21 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/ Bills progressing by accelerated passage
PROXY VOTING NOTICES – TUESDAY 15 JUNE 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 15 June 2021:
Steve Aiken |
Liz Kimmins |
Andy Allen |
Naomi Long |
Martina Anderson |
Gordon Lyons |
Caoimhe Archibald |
Séan Lynch |
Kellie Armstrong |
Chris Lyttle |
Rosemary Barton |
Nichola Mallon |
John Blair |
Declan McAleer |
Cathal Boylan |
Fra McCann |
Maurice Bradley |
Daniel McCrossan |
Paula Bradley |
Patsy McGlone |
Nicola Brogan |
Colin McGrath |
Keith Buchanan |
Philip McGuigan |
Tom Buchanan |
Maolíosa McHugh |
Jonathan Buckley |
Michelle McIlveen |
Pat Catney |
Sinead McLaughlin |
Alan Chambers |
Justin McNulty |
Stewart Dickson |
Gary Middleton |
Linda Dillon |
Andrew Muir |
Jemma Dolan |
Karen Mullan |
Gordon Dunne |
Conor Murphy |
Mark Durkan |
Mike Nesbitt |
Alex Easton |
Carál Ní Chuilín |
Sinead Ennis |
Michelle O’Neill |
Órlaithí Flynn |
Matthew O’Toole |
Paul Frew |
Edwin Poots |
Colm Gildernew |
George Robinson |
Paul Givan |
Emma Rogan |
Deirdre Hargey |
Pat Sheehan |
Harry Harvey |
Emma Sheerin |
David Hilditch |
Christopher Stalford |
Cara Hunter |
John Stewart |
William Irwin |
Mervyn Storey |
Declan Kearney |
Claire Sugden |
Dolores Kelly |
Robin Swann |
Gerry Kelly |
Peter Weir |