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 – Upcoming Spending Review and Fiscal Flexibilities

The Minister of Finance, Mr Conor Murphy, made a statement to the Assembly regarding Upcoming Spending Review and Fiscal Flexibilities, following which he replied to questions.

2.2 Statement – Surge Planning Strategic Framework

The Minister of Health, Mr Robin Swann, made a statement to the Assembly regarding a Surge Planning Strategic Framework, following which he replied to questions.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr McGlone, took the Chair.
The Speaker took the Chair.

2.3 Statement – Appointment of the Commissioner for Survivors of Institutional Childhood Abuse

The deputy First Minister, Mrs Michelle O'Neill, made a statement to the Assembly regarding the Appointment of the Commissioner for Survivors of Institutional Childhood Abuse, following which she replied to questions.

The sitting was suspended at 12.53pm.
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.

3.2 Justice

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

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

4. Executive Committee Business (cont'd)

4.1 Motion: The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (Amendment No. 3) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020

Proposed:

That the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (Amendment No. 3) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 be approved.

The Executive Office

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Beggs, took the Chair.

5. Private Members' Business

5.1 Motion: Impact of COVID-19 Restrictions on Workers and on the Economy

Proposed:

That this Assembly recognises the profound impact of COVID-19 restrictions on workers and the economy; notes projections that more than 100,000 people in Northern Ireland could be unemployed by the end of 2020; further notes with regret that many businesses are excluded from current support schemes; notes the positive impact of wage subsidy programmes as a critical lifeline to small businesses and those struggling to make ends meet; expresses regret that the Minister for the Economy has not produced a COVID-19 recovery strategy that provides support to workers and businesses asked to restrict their trading capacity; and calls on the Minister for the Economy to work with the Minister of Finance to bring forward a radical economic intervention programme that supports wages, creates pathways for those who have lost their jobs to re-enter the labour market, promotes new jobs and closes regional imbalances.

Ms Sinead McLaughlin
Mr Matthew O'Toole
Mr Colin McGrath
Mr Pat Catney

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

The Speaker took the Chair.

5.2 Motion: Terminal Illness

Proposed:

That this Assembly welcomes the recommendation, in the Walter Rader Independent Review of the Personal Independence Payment Assessment Process in Northern Ireland, that the six-month life expectancy criteria be removed from the terminal illness rule; notes the work of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Terminal Illness inquiry; recognises that there is significant evidence and support for reforming the six-month rule in all relevant welfare benefits among a wide range of local stakeholders; further welcomes the recent establishment of an Assembly All Party Group on Terminal Illness; and calls on the Minister for Communities to bring forward immediately legislation to remove the six-month rule, provide guidance to health professionals and adopt a fairer definition of terminal illness.

Ms Kellie Armstrong
Ms Paula Bradshaw

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

6. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

Mr Doug Beattie spoke to his topic regarding Protecting the Knock Iveagh Historical and Archaeological Site.

The Assembly adjourned at 8.17pm.

Mr Alex Maskey
The Speaker
6 October 2020

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 6 October 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

Annual Report and Accounts for 2019-20 of the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland (Department of Health)

5. Assembly Reports

6. Statutory Rules

SR 2020/213 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (Amendment No. 8) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department of Health)

For information only

SR 2020/162 The Pension Protection Fund (Moratorium and Arrangements for Companies in Financial Difficulty) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (Department for Communities)

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 6 October 2020

2017-2022 Mandate
Executive Bills

2017-2022 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills

/ Bills progressing by accelerated passage

PROXY VOTING NOTICES – TUESDAY 6 OCTOBER 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 6 October 2020:

* Roy Beggs indicated that his proxy was in place after 7:00pm on 6 October 2020.