Minutes of Proceedings

The Assembly met at noon, the Speaker in the Chair.

1. Prayers

Members observed two minutes' silence.

2. Members' Statements

Under Standing Order 24A, the following Members made a statement to the Assembly;

Mr Cathal Boylan

Mrs Pam Cameron

Mr Pat Catney

Dr Steve Aiken

Mr Jim Allister

Mr Gerry Carroll

Mr Alex Easton

Miss Aisling Reilly

Mr Stephen Dunne

Mr Daniel McCrossan

Mr Roy Beggs

Ms Áine Murphy

3. Ministerial Statement

3.1 Charlotte's Law

The Minister of Justice, Mrs Naomi Long, made a statement regarding Charlotte's Law, following which she replied to questions.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

4. Executive Committee Business

4.1 Motion: The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 18) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021

Proposed:

That the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 18) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 be approved.

Minister of Health

Motion: The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings) (Amendment No. 7) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021

Proposed:

That the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings) (Amendment No. 7) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 be approved.

Minister of Health

A single debate ensued on both motions.

The debate stood suspended for Question Time.

The Speaker took the Chair.

5. Question Time

5.1 Health

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Health, Mr Robin Swann.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr McGlone, took the Chair.

5.2 Infrastructure

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister for Infrastructure, Ms Nichola Mallon.

6. Executive Committee Business (cont'd)

6.1 Motion: The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 18) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (cont'd)

Motion: The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings) (Amendment No. 7) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (cont'd)

Debate resumed.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Beggs, took the Chair.

The Question being put, the motion on the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 18) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 was carried.

The Question being put, the motion on the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings) (Amendment No. 7) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 was carried.

The Speaker took the Chair.

7. Private Members' Business

7.1 Second Stage: Hospital Parking Charges Bill (NIA Bill 40/17-22)

Miss Aisling Reilly moved Second Stage of the Hospital Parking Charges Bill (NIA Bill 40/17-22).

Debate ensued.

The Hospital Parking Charges Bill (NIA Bill 40/17-22) passed Second Stage.

8. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 6.03pm.

Mr Alex Maskey
The Speaker
22 November 2021

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 17 November 2021 to 22 November 2021.

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

National Museums NI Annual Report and Accounts for year ended 31 March 2021 (Department for Communities)

Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2021 (Department for Communities)

Libraries NI Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2021 (Department for Communities)

North South Language Body Annual Report and Accounts for year ended 31 December 2019 (Department for Communities)

5. Assembly Reports

Report on the Severe Fetal Impairment Abortion (Amendment) Bill (NIA 88/17-22) (Committee for Health)

Report on the Committee Stage of the Financial Reporting (Departments and Public Bodies) Bill (NIA Bill 21/17-22) (NIA 129/17-22) (Committee for Finance)

Report on a complaint against Mr Paul Givan MLA (NIA 134/17-22) (Committee on Standards and Privileges)

6. Statutory Rules

SR 2021/301 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel, Operator Liability and Information to Passengers) (Amendment No. 9) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department of Health)

SR 2021/302 The Universal Credit (Work Allowance and Taper) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department for Communities)

For information only

SR 2021/300 (C.12) The Pension Schemes Act 2021 (Commencement No. 3) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department for Communities)

7. Written Ministerial Statements

8. Consultation Documents

Consultation on Deferral of School Starting Age (Department of Education)

9. Departmental Publications

Department of Finance Memorandum on the Seventh Report from the Public Accounts Committee Mandate 2017-2022 - Generating Electricity from Renewable Energy (Department of Finance)

10. Agency Publications

11. Westminster Publications

12. Miscellaneous Publications

PROXY VOTING NOTICES – MONDAY 22 NOVEMBER 2021

The following Members notified the Speaker, under Standing Order 112, that they wished to avail of proxy voting arrangements for the sitting on Monday 22 November 2021: