Minutes of Proceedings

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

1. Prayers

Members observed two minutes' silence.

2. Speaker's Business

2.1 Resignations and Ministerial Nominations

The Speaker informed Members that he had received notification from the First Minister and deputy First Minister that Mr Edwin Poots had resigned the office of Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, and that Mr Gordon Lyons resigned the office of junior Minister, effective from midnight on 1 February 2021. The Speaker also informed Members that he had received notification from the nominating officer for the Democratic Unionist Party that Mr Gordon Lyons had been nominated as Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs. Mr Lyons accepted the nomination and affirmed the pledge of office in the presence of the Speaker and the Clerk/Chief Executive on Tuesday 2 February 2021.

2.2 Appointments

The Speaker informed Members that he had received notification from the First Minister and deputy First Minister that Mr Gary Middleton had been appointed to the office of junior Minister. Mr Middleton accepted the nomination and affirmed the pledge of office in the presence of the Speaker and the Clerk/Chief Executive on Tuesday 2 February 2021.

2.3 Committee for Education

The Speaker informed Members that he had received notification of the resignation of Ms Karen Mullan as Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Education with immediate effect, and that he had also received notification that Mr Pat Sheehan had been nominated to fill the vacancy of Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Education with immediate effect, and that he was satisfied that the requirements of Standing Orders had been met.

3. Matter of the Day

3.1 Condemnation of Threats to Workers at Border Control Posts

Mr Stewart Dickson, under Standing Order 24, made a statement on the Condemnation of Threats to Workers at Border Control Posts. Other Members were also called to speak on the matter.

4. Public Petition

4.1 Ballycastle to Ballymoney Greenway

Mr Philip McGuigan was granted leave, in accordance with Standing Order 22, to present a Public Petition on a Ballycastle to Ballymoney Greenway.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr McGlone, took the chair.

5. Executive Committee Business

5.1 Statement: Alternative Awarding Arrangements for CCEA Qualifications in Summer 2021

The Minister of Education, Mr Peter Weir, made a statement regarding the Alternative Awarding Arrangements for CCEA Qualifications in Summer 2021, following which he replied to questions.

5.2 Motion: The Road Traffic Offenders (Northern Ireland) (Amendment) Order 2020

Proposed:

That the Road Traffic Offenders (Northern Ireland) (Amendment) Order 2020 be affirmed.

Minister for Infrastructure

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

The Speaker took the chair.

6. Private Members' Business

6.1 Final Stage: Functioning of Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill (NIA Bill 01/17-22)

Mr Jim Allister moved that the Final Stage of the Functioning of Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill (NIA Bill 01/17-22) do now pass.

Debate ensued.

The sitting was suspended at 12.59pm.

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

7. Question Time

7.1 Infrastructure

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister for Infrastructure, Ms Nichola Mallon.

The Speaker took the chair.

8. Question for Urgent Oral Answer

8.1 Checks at Ports

The Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Mr Gordon Lyons, responded to a Question for Urgent Oral Answer tabled by Mr Declan McAleer.

9. Private Members' Business (cont'd)

9.1 Final Stage: Functioning of Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill (NIA Bill 01/17-22) (cont'd)

Debate resumed.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Beggs, took the chair.

The Functioning of Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill (NIA Bill 01/17-22) passed Final Stage.

10. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 5.20pm.

Mr Alex Maskey
The Speaker

2 February 2021

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 2 February 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 of the Examiner of Statutory Rules to the Assembly and the Appropriate Committees Twenty-second Report of Session 2020 – 2021 (NIA 74/17-22) (Legal Services)

6. Statutory Rules

For information only

Explanatory Memorandum for SR 2021/13 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel) (Amendment No. 5) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department of Health)

7. Written Ministerial Statements

2020-21 Public Expenditure Allocations (Minister of Finance)

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 2 February 2021

2017-2022 Mandate
Executive Bills

2017-2022 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills

/ Bills progressing by accelerated passage

PROXY VOTING NOTICES – TUESDAY 2 FEBRUARY 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 2 February 2021: