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 &
   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 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)


  08/03/21

 

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 &
   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

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