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

Points of Order, Standards of Debate

The Speaker made some remarks about the proper use of Points of Order, the overall standards of debate the previous day, and highlighted the authority of the Chair which is not to be challenged.

Royal Assent

The Speaker advised Members that Royal Assent had been signified on 22 March 2021 to The Functioning of Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (Northern Ireland) 2021.

National Day of Reflection

The Speaker advised Members that, as part of the designated National Day of Reflection, the sitting would be suspended at 11.50am to make preparations to mark the day, and that at 12.00 noon, he would invite Members to join him in observing a minute's silence to remember all those who have lost their lives during the pandemic and to show support for the many thousands of people who mourn the loss of their loved ones.

3. Executive Committee Business

3.1 Statement: Civil Justice Modernisation

The Minister of Justice, Mrs Naomi Long, made a statement regarding Civil Justice Modernisation, following which she replied to questions.

3.2 Motion: The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (Amendment No. 5) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021

Proposed:

That the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (Amendment No. 5) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 be approved.

Minister of Health

Debate ensued.

The sitting was suspended at 11.50am to enable Members to observe a minute's silence on the National Day of Reflection for those who have lost their lives to coronavirus.

The sitting resumed at 12.05pm, with the Speaker in the Chair.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

The sitting was suspended at 1.03pm.

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

4. Question Time

4.1 Justice

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Justice, Mrs Naomi Long.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Beggs, took the Chair.

4.2 Assembly Commission

Questions were put to, and answered by, Members of the Assembly Commission.

5. Committee Business

5.1 Motion: Review of the Assembly's Code of Conduct and Guide to the Rules relating to the Conduct of Members: Stage 1

Proposed:

That this Assembly approves the Report of the Committee on Standards and Privileges on its Review of the Assembly Members' Code of Conduct and the Guide to the Rules relating to the Conduct of Members: Stage 1 [NIA 82/17-22], laid in the Business Office on 25 February 2021; affirms its commitment to high ethical standards and to the Code of Conduct and the Guide to the Rules relating to the Conduct of Members; agrees that the Code of Conduct and the Guide to the Rules relating to the Conduct of Members should be amended in accordance with the Annex to the Report; and further agrees that the amended Code of Conduct and Guide to the Rules relating to the Conduct of Members should come into effect on Monday 12 April 2021.

Chairperson, Committee on Standards and Privileges

Debate ensued.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr McGlone, took the Chair.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

6. Private Members' Business

6.1 Motion: Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy

Proposed:

That this Assembly condemns violence against women and girls in all forms; notes with concern that Northern Ireland is the only place on these islands that does not have a specific strategy to tackle gender-based violence and abuse; regrets that the Executive is failing to meet its international obligations in this regard; and calls on the Minister of Justice and the First Minister and deputy First Minister to take immediate action to eliminate gender-based violence in our society by introducing a Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy, underpinned by legislation and resourcing which includes a commitment to legislate to make misogyny a hate crime and prioritises early intervention in schools to erode sexist attitudes and build lifelong positive relationships.

Ms Sinead Bradley
Mrs Dolores Kelly
Ms Cara Hunter

Amendment

Proposed:

Leave out all after 'regard;' and insert:

'and calls on the Executive to take immediate action to eliminate gender-based violence by introducing a Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy that is fully resourced and underpinned by legislation to make misogyny a hate crime, and to introduce standardised, comprehensive Relationship and Sexuality Education in our schools to eradicate sexist attitudes and build lifelong, positive relationships.'

Miss Rachel Woods
Ms Clare Bailey

Debate ensued.

The Speaker took the Chair.

The Question being put, the Amendment was made.

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

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

7. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

Mr Keith Buchanan spoke to his topic regarding Road Safety at Schools in Mid Ulster.

The Assembly adjourned at 6.10pm.

Mr Alex Maskey
The Speaker
23 March 2021

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 23 March 2021

1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly

The Functioning of Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (Northern Ireland) 2021

2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly

3. Orders in Council

4. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

The Food Safety Promotion Board (Safefood) Annual Report 2019 (Department of Health)

Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2019 (Department for Agriculture, Environment and
Rural Affairs)

5. Assembly Reports

Report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules to the Assembly and the Appropriate Committees Thirty Second Report of Session 2020 – 2021 (NIA 90/17-22) (Examiner of Statutory Rules)

6. Statutory Rules

Draft SR The Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 (Coronavirus) (Change of Expiry Date in section 32(1)) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department for the Economy)

For information only

SR 2021/55 The Pneumoconiosis, Etc., (Workers' Compensation) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department for Communities)

7. Written Ministerial Statements

8. Consultation Documents

9. Departmental Publications

The Coronavirus Act 2020 Educational Continuity Direction (No.4) 2021 (Department of Education)

The Coronavirus Act 2020 Educational Continuity Direction (No.5) 2021 (Department of Education)

The Coronavirus Act 2020 Temporary Modification of Education Duties (No.27) Notice (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department of Education)

The Coronavirus Act 2020 Temporary Modification of Education Duties (No.28) Notice (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department of Education)

The Coronavirus Act 2020 Temporary Modification of Education Duties (No.29) Notice (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department of Education)

The Coronavirus Act 2020 Temporary Modification of Education Duties (No.30) Notice (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department of Education)

The Provision of Youth Services (Northern Ireland) Temporary Continuity Direction (No.1) 2021 (Department of Education)

The Provision of Youth Services (Northern Ireland) Temporary Continuity Direction (No.2) 2021 (Department of Education)

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 23 March 2021

2017-2022 Mandate
Executive Bills              

2017-2022 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills        

/ Bills progressing by accelerated passage

PROXY VOTING NOTICES – TUESDAY 23 MARCH 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 23 March 2021: