Minutes of Proceedings

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

1. Prayers

Members observed two minutes' silence.

2. Private Members' Business

2.1 Motion: Hardship Fund for Businesses Excluded from Existing COVID-19 Support Packages

Proposed:

That this Assembly is deeply concerned at the significant impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the local economy; acknowledges the substantial financial support package put in place by the UK Government to support employers, employees and the self-employed; recognises that thousands of sole traders and micro-businesses in Northern Ireland have not been able to access financial support; and calls on the Minister for the Economy to establish a new fit for purpose business hardship fund targeted at those businesses that have so far been excluded from existing support packages.

Mr John Stewart
Dr Steve Aiken

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

2.2 Motion: Mental Health Crisis Support

Proposed:

That this Assembly recognises the importance of collaborative and well-resourced services which support those in mental health crisis across Northern Ireland; notes with concern a COVID-19 survey conducted by the Stress, Trauma and Research Conditions (STARC) laboratory at Queen's University Belfast which found that one third of people locally met the criteria for depression; highlights the success of the Multi Agency Triage Team (MATT) partnership between the health and social care sector, the PSNI and the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service in providing on-the-spot mental health support to people in emotional crisis; and calls on the Minister of Health to commit urgently to the expansion and funding of this project to all Health and Social Care Trusts.

Mr Alex Easton
Ms Paula Bradley

Debate ensued.

The sitting was suspended at 12.53pm.

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

3. Question Time

3.1 Education

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

3.2 Finance

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Finance, Mr Conor Murphy.

The Speaker took the Chair.

4. Question for Urgent Oral Answer

4.1 North/South Electricity Interconnector

The Minister for Infrastructure, Ms Nichola Mallon, responded to a Question for Urgent Oral Answer tabled by Mr Cathal Boylan.

4.2 GP Services: Public Accessibility

The Minister of Health, Mr Robin Swann, responded to a Question for Urgent Oral Answer tabled by Mrs Pam Cameron.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

5. Private Members' Business (cont'd)

5.1 Motion: Mental Health Crisis Support (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

Mr Gary Middleton spoke to his topic regarding Funding for the Crisis Intervention Service in Londonderry.

The Assembly adjourned at 5.50pm.

Mr Alex Maskey
The Speaker
15 September 2020

 

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 15 September 2020

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

Disposal of Documents Order 1925 – Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry Retention and Disposal Schedule (Department for Communities)

BBC Annual Report and Accounts 2019-20 (BBC Northern Ireland)

5. Assembly Reports

6. Statutory Rules

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 September 2020

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 Family Proceedings Bill (NIA Bill 03/17-22)	31/03/20	28/04/20	15/10/20
Private   Tenancies (Coronavirus Modifications) Bill (NIA 04/17-22	21/04/20	21/04/20	/	/	28/04/20	/	28/04/20	04/05/20
Budget   (No. 2) Bill (NIA 5/17-22)	26/05/20	26/05/20	/	/	01/06/20	02/06/20	02/06/20	17/06/20
Housing   Amendment Bill (NIA 6/17-22)	26/05/20	01/06/20	/	/	16/06/20	23/06/20	30/06/20	28/08/20
Pension   Schemes Bill (NIA 7/17-22)	23/06/20	07/07/20	01/10/20
Executive   Committee (Functions) Bill (NIA 8/17-22)	06/07/20	06/07/20	/	/	21/07/20	27/07/20	28/07/20	25/08/20

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

/ Bills progressing by accelerated passage

PROXY VOTING NOTICES – TUESDAY 15 SEPTEMBER 2020

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 September 2020:

Andy Allen	Liz Kimmins
Martina   Anderson	Naomi Long
Caoimhe Archibald	Gordon Lyons
Kellie   Armstrong	Séan Lynch
Cathal Boylan	Chris Lyttle
Sinéad   Bradley	Nichola   Mallon
Paula Bradley	Declan   McAleer
Keith   Buchanan	Fra McCann
Pam Cameron	Daniel   McCrossan
Pat Catney	Patsy McGlone
Stewart   Dickson	Colin McGrath
Linda Dillon	Philip   McGuigan
Diane Dodds	Maolíosa   McHugh
Jemma Dolan	Sinead   McLaughlin
Gordon Dunne	Justin   McNulty
Mark Durkan	Andrew Muir
Sinéad Ennis	Karen Mullan
Arlene Foster	Conor Murphy
Órlaithí   Flynn	Robin Newton
Colm   Gildernew	Carál Ní   Chuilín
Paul Givan	Michelle   O’Neill
Deirdre   Hargey	Edwin Poots
Harry Harvey	George   Robinson
David   Hilditch	Emma Rogan
Cara Hunter	Pat Sheehan
William Irwin	Emma Sheerin
Declan   Kearney	Christopher   Stalford
Catherine   Kelly	Robin Swann
Dolores Kelly	Peter Weir
Gerry Kelly