Minutes of Proceedings

The Assembly met at noon, the Deputy Speaker, Mr Beggs, in the Chair.

1. Prayers

Members observed two minutes' silence.

2. Speaker's Business

Assembly business

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Beggs, advised Members that following a positive COVID test the Speaker was unable to be in the Chamber today. The Deputy Speaker also advised that the Minister of Education was also unavailable to be in the Chamber due to illness, and that the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs would answer Oral Questions to the Education Department on her behalf.

3. Matter of the Day

3.1 Cost-of-living Crisis

Mr John O'Dowd, under Standing Order 24, made a Statement on the Cost of Living Crisis. Other Members were also called to speak on the matter.

4. Assembly Business

4.1 Motion: Suspension of Standing Orders 10(2) to 10(4)

Proposed:

That Standing Orders 10(2) to 10(4) be suspended for 14 March 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.

5. Executive Committee Business

5.1 Motion: The Pensions Regulator (Employer Resources Test) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021

Proposed:

That the Pensions Regulator (Employer Resources Test) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 be approved.

Minister for Communities

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

5.2 Further Consideration Stage: Support for Mortgage Interest etc (Security for Loans) Bill (NIA Bill 42/17-22)

The Minister for Communities, Ms Deirdre Hargey, moved the Further Consideration Stage of the Support for Mortgage Interest etc (Security for Loans) Bill (NIA Bill 42/17-22).

No amendments were tabled to the Bill.

The Support for Mortgage Interest etc (Security for loans) Bill (NIA Bill 42/17-22) stood referred to the Speaker for consideration in accordance with Section 10 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

5.3 Motion: The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions, Wearing of Face Coverings) (Revocation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022

Proposed:

That the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions, Wearing of Face Coverings) (Revocation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 be approved.

Minister of Health

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

6. Committee Business

6.1 Motion: Amend Standing Order 3

Proposed:

In Standing Order 3—

Leave out paragraphs (11) - (13);

Renumber paragraph (14) as paragraph (11); and

Renumber paragraph (15) as paragraph (12)

After Standing Order 3, insert—

'3A. Political Designation

(1) After signing the Roll of Membership, a member may enter in the Roll his or her political designation.

(2) A member's political designation may be "Nationalist", "Unionist" or "Other".

(3) A member may change his or her political designation only if—

(a) (being a member of a political party) he or she becomes a member of a different political party or he or she ceases to be a member of any political party;

(b) (not being a member of any political party) he or she becomes a member of a political party.

(4) Any change in political designation takes effect immediately after notification in writing is submitted to the Speaker.

(5) Where the Speaker has received a Notice of Political Designation from any member before the first meeting of an Assembly after dissolution, the Speaker shall report the contents of that Notice to the Assembly.

(6) A Notice of Political Designation shall —

(a) be submitted by a member only where exceptional circumstances prevent that member attending in person the first meeting of an Assembly after dissolution;

(b) be in writing;

(c) detail the exceptional circumstances which make it necessary for the member to submit the Notice; and

(d) detail that member's political designation (see paragraph (2)).

(7) A Notice of Political Designation shall have effect only if received by the Speaker before the first meeting of an Assembly after dissolution.

(8) Except where paragraph (3) applies, when a Member who has submitted a Notice of Political Designation takes his or her seat, he or she shall enter the designation set out in that Notice in the Roll of Membership.

(9) A member who does not specify a political designation (whether by entering it in the Roll or by submitting a Notice of Political Designation) may be designated "Other" for the purposes of these Standing Orders and the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

(10) In this Standing Order the term "the Speaker" includes where relevant an outgoing Speaker or Acting Speaker (see Standing Order 3).'.

Chairperson, Committee on Procedures

Motion: Amend Standing Order 4

Proposed:

In Standing Order 4,

Leave out Standing Order 4 (1) and insert—

'(1) When all members have had the opportunity to take their seats and specify a political designation, the Assembly shall proceed to elect a Speaker in the following manner.'

Chairperson, Committee on Procedures

A single debate ensued on both motions.

The Question being put, the motion to Amend Standing Order 3 was carried with cross-community support.

The Question being put, the motion to Amend Standing Order 4 was carried with cross-community support.

6.2 Motion: Amend Standing Order 110

Proposed:

Leave out Standing Order 110(1) and insert:-

'(1) Unless the Assembly previously resolves, Standing Orders 110-116 ('the temporary provisions') apply in the period from 31st March 2020 to the end of July 2022.'

Chairperson, Committee on Procedures

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried with cross-community support.

6.3 Motion: Report on the Inquiry into Private Members' Bills

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes the report of the Committee on Procedures on its Inquiry into Private Members' Bills (NIA 178/17-22); and approves the Committee's recommendations contained in the report.

Chairperson, Committee on Procedures

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

The debate stood suspended for Question Time, the Deputy Speaker, Mr McGlone, took the Chair.

7. Question Time

7.1 Education

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Mr Edwin Poots, on behalf of the Minister of Education, Miss Michelle McIlveen.

8. Committee Business (cont'd)

8.1 Motion: Report on the Inquiry into Legislative Consent Motions

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes the report of the Committee on Procedures on its Inquiry into Legislative Consent Motions (NIA 179/17-22); and approves the Committee's recommendations contained in the report.

Chairperson, Committee on Procedures

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

9. Private Members' Business

9.1 Further Consideration Stage: Defamation Bill (NIA Bill 25/17-22)

The sponsor of the Bill, Mr Mike Nesbitt, moved the Further Consideration Stage of the Defamation Bill (NIA Bill 25/17-22).

Five amendments were tabled to the Bill and selected for debate.

Amendment 1 was not moved.

After debate, Amendment 2 to Clause 9 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 3 to Clause 12 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 4 to Clause 14 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 5 to Clause 15 was made without division.

The Defamation Bill (NIA Bill 25/17-22) stood referred to the Speaker.

9.2 Further Consideration Stage: Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Bill (NIA Bill 35/17-22)

The sponsor of the Bill, Ms Clare Bailey, moved the Further Consideration Stage of the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Bill (NIA Bill 35/17-22).

Five amendments were tabled to the Bill and selected for debate.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Beggs, took the Chair.

After debate, Amendment 1 to Clause 1 was made on division (Division 1).

After debate, Amendment 2 to Clause 2 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 3 to Clause 4 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 4 to Clause 5 was negatived on division (Division 2).

After debate, Amendment 5 to Clause 7 was made without division.

The Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Bill (NIA Bill 35/17-22) stood referred to the Speaker for consideration in accordance with section 10 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

9.3 Motion: Accelerated passage - Preservation of Documents (Historical Institutions) Bill (NIA Bill 56/17-22)

Proposed:

That the Preservation of Documents (Historical Institutions) Bill proceed under the accelerated passage procedure.

Mr Alan Chambers

Debate ensued.

The question being put, the motion was agreed with cross-community support.

9.4 Second Stage: Preservation of Documents (Historical Institutions) Bill (NIA Bill 56/17-22)

The Sponsor of the Bill, Mr Alan Chambers, moved the Second Stage of the Preservation of Documents (Historical Institutions) Bill (NIA Bill 56/17-22).

Debate ensued.

The Preservation of Documents (Historical Institutions) Bill (NIA Bill 56/17-22) passed Second Stage.

10. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 5.47pm.

Mr Alex Maskey
The Speaker
14 March 2022

Northern Ireland Assembly

14 March 2022 – Division 1

Further Consideration Stage: Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Bill (NIA Bill 35/17-22) – Amendment 1

Proposed:

Clause 1, Page 1, Line 8

After second 'premises' insert 'and that notice has not been withdrawn by the operator'

Ms Clare Bailey [R]

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 57
Noes: 28

AYES

Dr Aiken, Mr Allen, Dr Archibald, Ms Armstrong, Ms Bailey, Mrs Barton, Mr Beattie, Mr Blair, Mr Boylan, Ms S Bradley, Ms Bradshaw, Ms Brogan, Mr Butler, Mr Carroll, Mr Catney, Mr Chambers, Mr Delargy, Mr Dickson, Ms Dillon, Ms Dolan, Mr Durkan, Ms Ennis, Ms Ferguson, Ms Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Ms Hargey, Ms Hunter, Mr Kearney, Mrs D Kelly, Mr G Kelly, Ms Kimmins, Mrs Long, Mr Lyttle, Mr McAleer, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGrath, Mr McGuigan, Mr McHugh, Ms McLaughlin, Mr McNulty, Ms Mallon, Mr Muir, Ms Á Murphy, Mr C Murphy, Mr Nesbitt, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mr O'Dowd, Mrs O'Neill, Mr O'Toole, Miss Reilly, Ms Rogan, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin, Mr Stewart, Ms Sugden, Mr Swann, Miss Woods.

Tellers for the Ayes: Ms Bradshaw, Ms McLaughlin.

NOES

Mr Allister, Mr M Bradley, Ms P Bradley, Mr K Buchanan, Mr T Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Ms Bunting, Mrs Cameron, Mr Clarke, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Mr Easton, Mrs Erskine, Mr Frew, Mr Givan, Mr Harvey, Mr Hilditch, Mr Humphrey, Mr Irwin, Mr Lyons, Miss McIlveen, Mr Middleton, Mr Newton, Mr Poots, Mr Robinson, Mr Storey, Mr Weir, Mr Wells.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Irwin, Mr Storey.

Amendment 1 was agreed.

The following Members' votes were cast by their notified proxy in this division:

Ms Bailey voted for Mr Carroll and Miss Woods.

Mr K Buchanan voted for Mr M Bradley, Ms P Bradley, Mr T Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Ms Bunting, Mrs Cameron, Mr Clarke, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Mr Easton, Mrs Erskine, Mr Frew, Mr Givan, Mr Harvey, Mr Hilditch, Mr Humphrey, Mr Irwin [Teller, Noes], Mr Lyons, Miss McIlveen, Mr Middleton, Mr Newton, Mr Poots, Mr Robinson, Mr Storey [Teller, Noes], Mr Weir and Mr Wells.

Mr Butler voted for Dr Aiken, Mr Allen, Mrs Barton, Mr Beattie, Mr Chambers, Mr Nesbitt, Mr Stewart and Mr Swann.

Mr Dickson voted for Ms Armstrong, Mr Blair, Ms Bradshaw [Teller, Ayes], Mrs Long, Mr Lyttle and Mr Muir.

Mr McGrath voted for Mrs S Bradley, Mr Catney, Mr Durkan, Ms Hunter, Mrs Kelly, Ms Mallon, Mr McCrossan, Ms McLaughlin [Teller, Ayes], Mr McNulty and Mr O'Toole.

Mr O'Dowd voted for Dr Archibald, Mr Boylan, Ms Brogan, Mr Delargy, Ms Dillon, Ms Dolan, Ms Ennis, Ms Ferguson, Ms Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Ms Hargey, Mr Kearney, Mr Kelly, Ms Kimmins, Mr McAleer, Mr McGuigan, Mr McHugh, Ms A Murphy, Mr C Murphy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mrs O'Neill, Ms Reilly, Ms Rogan, Mr Sheehan and Ms Sheerin.

Northern Ireland Assembly

14 March 2022 – Division 2

Further Consideration Stage: Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Bill (NIA Bill 35/17-22) – Amendment 4

Proposed:

Clause 5, Page 2, Line 39

After 'act' insert 'without reasonable excuse'

Mr Jim Allister

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 40
Noes: 44

AYES

Dr Aiken, Mr Allen, Mr Allister, Ms Bailey, Mrs Barton, Mr Beattie, Mr M Bradley, Mr K Buchanan, Mr T Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Ms Bunting, Mr Butler, Mrs Cameron, Mr Carroll, Mr Chambers, Mr Clarke, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Mr Easton, Mrs Erskine, Mr Frew, Mr Givan, Mr Harvey, Mr Hilditch, Mr Humphrey, Mr Irwin, Mr Lyons, Miss McIlveen, Mr Middleton, Mr Nesbitt, Mr Newton, Mr Poots, Mr Robinson, Mr Stewart, Mr Storey, Ms Sugden, Mr Swann, Mr Weir, Mr Wells, Miss Woods.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Allister, Mr Irwin.

NOES

Dr Archibald, Ms Armstrong, Mr Blair, Mr Boylan, Ms S Bradley, Ms Bradshaw, Ms Brogan, Mr Catney, Mr Delargy, Mr Dickson, Ms Dillon, Ms Dolan, Mr Durkan, Ms Ennis, Ms Ferguson, Ms Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Ms Hargey, Ms Hunter, Mr Kearney, Mrs D Kelly, Mr G Kelly, Ms Kimmins, Mrs Long, Mr Lyttle, Mr McAleer, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGrath, Mr McGuigan, Mr McHugh, Ms McLaughlin, Mr McNulty, Ms Mallon, Mr Muir, Ms Á Murphy, Mr C Murphy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mr O'Dowd, Mrs O'Neill, Mr O'Toole, Miss Reilly, Ms Rogan, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin.

Tellers for the Noes: Ms Dillon, Ms Ennis.

Amendment 4 was negatived.

The following Members' votes were cast by their notified proxy in this division:

Ms Bailey voted for Mr Carroll and Miss Woods.

Mr K Buchanan voted for Mr M Bradley, Ms P Bradley, Mr T Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Ms Bunting, Mrs Cameron, Mr Clarke, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Mr Easton, Mrs Erskine, Mr Frew, Mr Givan, Mr Harvey, Mr Hilditch, Mr Humphrey, Mr Irwin [Teller, Ayes], Mr Lyons, Miss McIlveen, Mr Middleton, Mr Newton, Mr Poots, Mr Robinson, Mr Storey, Mr Weir and Mr Wells.

Mr Butler voted for Dr Aiken, Mr Allen, Mrs Barton, Mr Beattie, Mr Chambers, Mr Nesbitt, Mr Stewart and Mr Swann.

Mr Dickson voted for Ms Armstrong, Mr Blair, Ms Bradshaw, Mrs Long, Mr Lyttle and Mr Muir.

Mr McGrath voted for Mrs S Bradley, Mr Catney, Mr Durkan, Ms Hunter, Mrs Kelly, Ms Mallon, Mr McCrossan, Ms McLaughlin, Mr McNulty and Mr O'Toole.

Mr O'Dowd voted for Dr Archibald, Mr Boylan, Ms Brogan, Mr Delargy, Ms Dillon [Teller, Noes], Ms Dolan, Ms Ennis [Teller, Noes], Ms Ferguson, Ms Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Ms Hargey, Mr Kearney, Mr Kelly, Ms Kimmins, Mr McAleer, Mr McGuigan, Mr McHugh, Ms A Murphy, Mr C Murphy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mrs O'Neill, Ms Reilly, Ms Rogan, Mr Sheehan and Ms Sheerin.

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 10 March 2022 to 14 March 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

Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Bill Memorandum laid under Standing Order 42A (4)(b) (Department of Justice)

Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Bill Memorandum laid under Standing Order 42A (4)(b) (Department for the Economy)

Legislative Consent Memorandum: Police, Crime, Sentence and Courts Bill (Supplementary Memorandum) (Department of Justice)

5. Assembly Reports

Report on the Fair Employment (School Teachers) Bill (NIA 195/17-22) (Committee for the Executive Office)

Report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules to the Assembly and the Appropriate Committees Nineteenth Report of Session 2021 – 2022 (NIA 199/17-22) (Examiner of Statutory Rules)

6. Statutory Rules

SR 2022/92 The Rate Relief (Qualifying Age) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 (Department of Finance)

SR 2022/97 The Derrynaseer Road (Rubble Road), Omagh (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2022/98 The Occupational Pension Schemes (Fraud Compensation Levy) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 (Department for Communities)

SR 2022/99 The Registration of Clubs (Accounts) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 (Department for Communities)

SR 2022/100 The Recovery of Health Services Charges (Amounts) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 (Department of Health)

SR 2022/101 The Employer's Liability (Compulsory Insurance) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 (Department for the Economy)

SR 2022/104 The Health and Social Care Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (General Dental and Ophthalmic Services Consequential and Miscellaneous Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 (Department of Health)

SR 2022/105 The Superannuation (Victims of Crime Commissioner Designate) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022 (Department of Finance)

SR 2022/106 The Regulation and Improvement Authority (Fees and Frequency of Inspections) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 (Department of Health)

For Information Only

Approved version SR 2022/91 The Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 (Department of Finance)

SR 2022/93 The Private Accesses on the A6 Castledawson By-Pass (Stopping-Up) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2022/94 The Road Races (Craigantlet Hill Climb) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2022/95 The Road Races (Tandragee 100) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2022/96 The Parking Places on Roads (Castle Place, Belfast) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2022/102 (C.11) The Health and Social Care (2022 Act) (Commencement) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022 (Department of Health)

SR 2022/103 The Health and Social Care Trusts (Establishment) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022 (Department of Health)

SR 2022/107 (C.12) The Financial Guidance and Claims Act 2018 (Commencement No. 1) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022 (Department for Communities)

7. Written Ministerial Statements

Guidance on the Use of Face Coverings by Post Primary Pupils in Classrooms (Minister of Education)

The Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Bill (Minister of Justice)

The Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Bill (Minister of Finance)

8. Consultation Documents

9. Departmental Publications

10. Agency Publications

11. Westminster Publications

12. Miscellaneous Publications

PROXY VOTING NOTICES – MONDAY 14 MARCH 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 14 March 2022: