Minutes of Proceedings
Session: Session currently unavailable
Date: 10 January 2022
The Assembly met at noon, the Speaker in the Chair.
1. Prayers
Members observed two minutes' silence.
2. Assembly Business
2.1 Motion: Suspension of Standing Order 20(1)
Proposed:
That Standing Order 20(1) be suspended for 10 January 2022.
Mr John O'Dowd
Ms Joanne Bunting
Mrs Dolores Kelly
Mr Robbie Butler
Mr Andrew Muir
Ms Clare Bailey
The Question being put, the motion was carried with cross-community support.
3. Private Members' Business
3.1 Motion: Keeping Schools Open and Safe
That this Assembly expresses its support for keeping schools open and operating in a manner that is safe for pupils, parents, teachers and staff; further expresses serious concern at the lack of planning by the Minister of Education to ensure the safe reopening of schools in the context of the increased transmissibility of the Omicron COVID-19 variant; recognises the staffing pressures that increased transmissibility will present for schools; and calls on the Minister of Education to urgently develop a plan that puts the safety of pupils and staff first, through the installation of air monitoring and air filtration devices in all classrooms, and addresses the staffing pressures facing the education system by utilizing and deploying additional teaching capacity to keep schools open and safe.
Mr Pat Sheehan
Ms Nicola Brogan
Mr John O'Dowd
Ms Sinéad Ennis
Debate ensued.
The Question being put, the motion was carried.
4. Adjournment
Proposed:
That the Assembly do now adjourn.
The Speaker
The Assembly adjourned at 1.45pm.
Mr Alex Maskey
The Speaker
10 January 2022
Northern Ireland Assembly
Papers Presented to the Assembly on 15 December 2021 – 10 January 2022
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
Rural Needs Annual Monitoring Report 1 April 2020 - 31 March 2021 (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)
Arts Council of Northern Ireland Annual Report and Accounts for year ended 31 March 2021 (Department for Communities)
2020-21 Trust Statement of Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service (Department of Justice)
Legislative Consent Memorandum - The Pension Schemes (Conversion of Guaranteed Minimum Pensions) Bill (Department for Communities)
Tourism Ireland Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020 (Department for the Economy)
SI 2021/1455 The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2021 (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)
The Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland Annual Report 2020-21 (Department of Health)
Northern Ireland Police Fund Annual Report and Accounts 2020-21 (Northern Ireland Police Fund)
Annual Report on Decision Making and Financial Accuracy 1 January to 31 December 2020 (Department for Communities)
Northern Ireland Screen Commission Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2020 (Department for the Economy)
Northern Ireland Screen Commission Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2021 (Department for the Economy)
Annual Report of the Lay Observer for Northern Ireland 2020/21 (Committee for Finance)
Northern Ireland Flood Risk Management Plan 2021 – 2027 (Department for Infrastructure)
Memorandum of Reply to the Public Accounts Committee Report "Speeding Up The Justice System" (Department of Finance)
Annual Report of the Lay Observer for Northern Ireland 2020/21 (Department of Finance)
5. Assembly Reports
Committee for Health Report on the Organ and Tissue Donation (Deemed Consent) Bill (NIA 130/17-22) (Committee for Health)
The Northern Ireland Assembly Members' Pension Fund Annual Report and Accounts for Year ended 31 March 2021 (NIA 153/17-22) (The Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland)
Report on the Committee Stage of the Non-domestic Rates Valuations (Coronavirus) Bill (44/17-22) (NIA 154/17-22) (Committee for Finance)
6. Statutory Rules
SR 2021/342 The Misuse of Drugs (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department of Health)
SR 2021/343 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel) (2021 Consolidation) (Amendment No. 13) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department of Health)
SR 2021/345 The Social Security (Income and Capital Disregards) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department for Communities)
SR 2021/346 The Direct Payments to Farmers (Review of Decisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)
SR 2021/347 The Statutory Sick Pay (Medical Evidence) (Modification) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department for Communities)
SR 2022/000 Draft SR - The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2022 (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)
SR 2021/348 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings) (Amendment) (No. 8) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department of Health)
SR 2021/349 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 21) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department of Health)
SR 2021/350 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No.21) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department of Health)
SR 2022/02 The Insolvency Practitioners (Recognised Professional Bodies) (Revocation of Recognition) (Revocation) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022 (Department for the Economy)
SR 2022/3 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel, Operator Liability and Information to Passengers) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 (Department of Health)
For information only
SR 2021/344 The Taxis (2008 Act) (Commencement No. 6) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department for Infrastructure)
SR 2022/1 The Direct Payments to Farmers (Simplifications) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)
SR 2022/2 The Insolvency Practitioners (Recognised Professional Bodies) (Revocation of Recognition) (Revocation) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022 (Department for the Economy)
7. Written Ministerial Statements
Improvements to Terms and Conditions for Voluntary and Community Sector Posts Supported directly through the Department for Communities (Minister for Communities)
"A Fair Start" Final Report and Action Plan – Progress Report December 2021 (Minister of Education)
The Executive's New Energy Strategy (Minister for the Economy)
Decisions of the Executive on COVID-19, 22 December 2021 (First Minister and deputy First Minister)
8. Consultation Documents
Call for Evidence on Local Government Ability to Hold Remote/Hybrid Meetings (Department for Communities)
9. Departmental Publications
Coronavirus Act 2020 Temporary Modification of Education Duties (No.37) Notice (Northern Ireland) 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 10 January 2022
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 |
09/08/21 |
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 |
21/06/21 |
29/06/21 |
26/08/21 |
The Criminal Justice (Committal Reform) Bill (NIA Bill 11/17-22) |
03/11/20 |
16/11/20 |
11/06/21 |
10/06/21 |
23/11/21 |
06/12/21 |
14/12/21 |
|
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 |
21/10/21 |
15/11/21 |
29/11/21 |
07/12/21 |
|
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 |
30/09/21 |
16/11/21 |
29/11/21 |
07/12/21 |
|
Horse Racing (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 20/17-22) |
13/04/21 |
26/04/21 |
28/01/22 |
14/10/21 |
16/11/21 |
29/11/21 |
07/12/21 |
|
The Financial Reporting (Departments and Public Bodies) Bill (NIA Bill 21/17-22) |
01/06/21 |
14/06/21 |
17/12/21 |
17/11/21 |
07/12/21 |
|
|
|
The Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Bill (NIA Bill 22/17-22) |
01/06/21 |
14/06/21 |
15/11/21 |
15/11/21 |
30/11/21 |
|
|
|
Budget (No.2) Bill (NIA Bill 24/17-22) |
07/06/21 |
08/06/21 |
/ |
/ |
14/06/21 |
21/06/21 |
22/06/21 |
04/08/21 |
Local Government (Meetings and Performance) Bill (NIA Bill 26/17-22) |
14/06/21 |
22/06/21 |
/ |
/ |
28/06/21 |
05/07/21 |
06/07/21 |
26/08/21 |
Charities Bill (NIA Bill 27/17-22) |
21/06/21 |
29/06/21 |
10/12/21 |
|
|
|
|
|
Climate Change (No. 2) Bill (NIA Bill 28/17-22) |
05/07/21 |
27/09/21 |
28/01/22 |
|
|
|
|
|
Justice (Sexual Offences and Trafficking Victims) Bill (NIA Bill 29/17-22) |
05/07/21 |
13/09/21 |
28/01/22 |
|
|
|
|
|
Organ and Tissue (Deemed Consent) Bill (NIA Bill 30/17-22) |
05/07/21 |
20/09/21 |
21/01/22 |
|
|
|
|
|
Private Tenancies Bill (NIA Bill 32/17-22) |
06/07/21 |
13/09/21 |
14/01/22 |
|
|
|
|
|
Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 36/17-22) |
14/09/21 |
27/09/21 |
28/01/22 |
|
|
|
|
|
Adoption and Children Bill (NIA Bill 37/17-22) |
20/09/21 |
05/10/21 |
28/01/22 |
|
|
|
|
|
Support for Mortgage Interest etc. (Security for Loans) Bill (NIA Bill 42/17-22) |
08/11/21 |
16/11/21 |
18/02/22 |
|
|
|
|
|
Non-domestic Rates Valuations (Coronavirus) Bill (NIA Bill 44/17-22) |
15/11/21 |
23/11/21 |
25/01/22 |
05/01/22 |
|
|
|
|
Animal Welfare (Service Animals) Bill (NIA Bill 45/17-22) |
15/11/21 |
30/11/21 |
/ |
/ |
14/12/21 |
|
|
|
Social Security (Terminal Illness) Bill (NIA Bill 17/17-22) |
29/11/21 |
07/12/21 |
/ |
/ |
14/12/21 |
|
|
|
Welfare Supplementary Payments (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 50/17-22) |
14/12/21 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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 |
11/11/21 |
14/12/21 |
|
|
|
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 |
06/07/21 |
24/11/21 |
24/11/21 |
|
|
|
|
Defamation Bill (NIA Bill 25/17-22) |
07/06/21 |
14/09/21 |
28/01/22 |
|
|
|
|
|
Autism (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 31/17-22) |
05/07/21 |
21/09/21 |
14/01/22 |
|
|
|
|
|
Small Scale Green Energy Bill (NIA Bill 33/17-22) |
06/07/21 |
28/09/21 |
28/01/22 |
|
|
|
|
|
Political Appointments Bill (NIA Bill 34/17-22) |
06/07/21 |
Bill fell at Second Stage on 21/09/21 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Bill (NIA Bill 35/17-22) |
13/09/21 |
12/10/21 |
28/01/22 |
|
|
|
|
|
Education (Curriculum) (CPR and AED) Bill (NIA Bill 38/17-22) |
04/10/21 |
08/11/21 |
02/02/22 |
|
|
|
|
|
Free Period Products Bill (NIA Bill 39/17-22) |
11/10/21 |
09/11/21 |
02/02/22 |
|
|
|
|
|
Hospital Parking Charges Bill (NIA Bill 40/17-22) |
18/10/21 |
22/01/21 |
28/02/22 |
|
|
|
|
|
Domestic Abuse (Safe Leave) Bill (NIA Bill 41/17-22) |
19/10/21 |
29/11/21 |
31/01/22 |
|
|
|
|
|
Hunting of Wild Mammals Bill (NIA Bill 43/17-22) |
09/11/21 |
Bill fell at Second Stage on 06/12/21 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Employment (Zero Hours Workers and Banded Weekly Working Hours) Bill (NIA Bill 46/17-22) |
15/11/21 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Onshore Fracking (Prohibition) Bill (NIA Bill 48/17-22) |
29/11/21 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trade Union and Labour Relations (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 49/17-22) |
30/11/21 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/ Bills progressing by accelerated passage
PROXY VOTING NOTICES – MONDAY 10 JANUARY 2022
The following Members notified the Speaker, under Standing Order 112, that they wished to avail of proxy voting arrangements for the sitting on Monday 10 January 2022:
Steve Aiken |
William Humphrey |
Andy Allen |
William Irwin |
Caoimhe Archibald |
Declan Kearney |
Kellie Armstrong |
Gerry Kelly |
Clare Bailey |
Liz Kimmins |
Rosemary Barton |
Naomi Long |
Doug Beattie |
Gordon Lyons |
Roy Beggs |
Chris Lyttle |
Cathal Boylan |
Nichola Mallon |
Maurice Bradley |
Declan McAleer |
Paula Bradley |
Daniel McCrossan |
Sinéad Bradley |
Colin McGrath |
Paula Bradshaw |
Patsy McGlone |
Nicola Brogan |
Philip McGuigan |
Keith Buchanan |
Maolíosa McHugh |
Thomas Buchanan |
Michelle McIlveen |
Jonathan Buckley |
Sinead McLaughlin |
Pam Cameron |
Justin McNulty |
Pat Catney |
Gary Middleton |
Alan Chambers |
Andrew Muir |
Trevor Clarke |
Áine Murphy |
Pádraig Delargy |
Conor Murphy |
Stewart Dickson |
Mike Nesbitt |
Linda Dillon |
Robin Newton |
Jemma Dolan |
Carál Ní Chuilín |
Diane Dodds |
Michelle O’Neill |
Stephen Dunne |
Matthew O’Toole |
Mark Durkan |
Edwin Poots |
Alex Easton |
Aisling Reilly |
Sinead Ennis |
George Robinson |
Deborah Erskine |
Emma Rogan |
Ciara Ferguson |
Pat Sheehan |
Órlaithí Flynn |
Emma Sheerin |
Paul Frew |
Christopher Stalford |
Colm Gildernew |
Mervyn Storey |
Paul Givan |
Claire Sugden |
Deirdre Hargey |
Robin Swann |
Harry Harvey |
Peter Weir |
David Hilditch |
Rachel Woods |