Minutes of Proceedings

Session: Session currently unavailable

Date: 12 October 2021

The Assembly met at 10.30am, the Speaker in the Chair.

1. Prayers

Members observed two minutes' silence.

2. Public Petition

2.1 Strategy for Expanding the Electric Vehicle Charging Network

Mr Andrew Muir was granted leave, in accordance with Standing Order 22, to present a Public Petition regarding a Strategy for Expanding the Electric Vehicle Charging Network.

3. Private Members' Business

3.1 Second Stage: Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Bill (NIA Bill 35/17-22)

Ms Clare Bailey moved the Second Stage of the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Bill (NIA Bill 35/17-22).

Debate ensued.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Beggs, took the Chair.

The sitting was suspended at 1.01pm.

The sitting resumed at 2.00pm, with the Principal Deputy Speaker in the Chair.

4. Question Time

4.1 Economy

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister for the Economy, Mr Gordon Lyons.

The Speaker took the Chair.

5. Question for Urgent Oral Answer

5.1 North/South Ministerial Council Meetings: High Court Ruling

The First Minister, Mr Paul Givan, responded to a Question for Urgent Oral Answer tabled by Mr Stewart Dickson.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Beggs, took the Chair.

6. Private Members' Business (cont'd)

6.1 Second Stage: Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Bill (NIA Bill 35/17-22) (cont'd)

Debate resumed.

The Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Bill (NIA Bill 35/17-22) passed Second Stage (Division).

The Deputy Speaker, Mr McGlone, took the Chair.

6.2 Motion: Cancer Screening for Firefighters

Proposed:

That this Assembly recognises the urgent need to protect firefighters from cancer; acknowledges the increasing evidence highlighting the serious health risks to firefighters and their families following exposure to carcinogenic fire effluents; further recognises that as a result of their profession firefighters can be up to four times more likely to develop cancer and other illnesses than other members of the public; and calls on the Minister of Health to introduce annual cancer screenings to monitor and manage the health status of serving firefighters.

Mr David Hilditch
Mr Jonathan Buckley

Amendment:

Proposed:

At end insert:

', and to engage with the Fire Brigades Union on implementing best practice procedures regarding post-incident decontamination, adequate personal protective equipment, and fire kit laundry and replacement, in order to prevent firefighters, their families and colleagues being exposed to harmful contaminants.'

Mr Colm Gildernew
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín
Ms Órlaithí Flynn

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the amendment was made.

The Question being put, the motion as amended was carried.

6.3 Motion: Education Catch-up Strategy

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education, schools and youth services; recognises the immense challenges facing young people, parents and school leaders as they seek to catch up on missed time and opportunities for learning, socialising and physical activity; further recognises the specific impact this has had on children with special educational needs; regrets the mishandling of exam grading and test and trace by successive Education Ministers which has contributed to the stress on school communities; further notes analysis from the Education Policy Institute which suggests that Northern Ireland is spending less than other administrations on education catch-up policies; and calls on the Minister of Education to bring forward a resourced catch-up plan to address the challenges facing young people, parents and school communities.

Mr Daniel McCrossan
Mr Justin McNulty
Mr Colin McGrath

Debate ensued.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

7. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 6.34pm.

 

Mr Alex Maskey
The Speaker
12 October 2021

Northern Ireland Assembly

12 October 2021 - Division

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

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 58
Noes: 29

AYES

Dr Aiken, Mr Allen, Dr Archibald, Ms Armstrong, Ms Bailey, Mrs Barton, Mr Beattie, Mr Blair, Mr Boylan, 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 Lunn, Mr Lyttle, Mr McAleer, Mr McCann, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, 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, Ms Rogan, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin, Mr Stewart, Ms Sugden, Mr Swann, Miss Woods.

Tellers for the Ayes: Ms Kimmins, Miss Woods.

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 Stalford, Mr Storey, Mr Weir, Mr Wells.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Buckley, Mr Robinson.

The Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Bill (NIA Bill 35/17-22) passed Second Stage.

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

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

Ms Bunting voted for Mr M Bradley, Ms P Bradley, Mr K Buchanan, Mr T Buchanan, Mr Buckley [Teller, Noes], 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, Mr Middleton, Miss McIlveen, Mr Newton, Mr Poots, Mr Robinson [Teller, Noes], Mr Stalford, Mr Storey, Mr Weir and Mr Wells.

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

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

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

Ms Bailey voted for Mr Lunn.

 

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 12 October 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

Legislative Consent Memorandum for the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Department of Justice)

5. Assembly Reports

6. Statutory Rules

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 12 October 2021

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

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

Horse Racing (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill   20/17-22)

13/04/21

26/04/21

28/01/22

 

 

 

 

 

The Financial Reporting (Departments and   Public Bodies) Bill (NIA Bill 21/17-22)

01/06/21

14/06/21

17/12/21

 

 

 

 

 

The Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Bill   (NIA Bill 22/17-22)

01/06/21

14/06/21

15/11/21

 

 

 

 

 

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

15/11/21

 

 

 

 

 

Justice (Sexual Offences and Trafficking   Victims)  Bill (NIA Bill 29/17-22)

05/07/21

13/09/21

01/11/21

 

 

 

 

 

Organ and Tissue (Deemed Consent) Bill (NIA   Bill 30/17-22)

05/07/21

20/09/21

08/11/21

 

 

 

 

 

Private Tenancies Bill (NIA Bill 32/17-22)

06/07/21

13/09/21

01/11/21

 

 

 

 

 

Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements   (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 36/17-22)

14/09/21

27/09/21

15/11/21

 

 

 

 

 

Adoption and Children Bill (NIA Bill 37/17-22)

20/09/21

05/10/21

23/11/21

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Defamation   Bill (NIA Bill 25/17-22)

07/06/21

14/09/21

02/11/21

 

 

 

 

 

Autism   (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 31/17-22)

05/07/21

21/09/21

09/11/21

 

 

 

 

 

Small   Scale Green Energy Bill (NIA Bill 33/17-22)

06/07/21

28/09/21

16/11/21

 

 

 

 

 

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

30/11/21

 

 

 

 

 

Education   (Curriculum) (CPR and AED) Bill (NIA Bill 38/17-22)

04/10/21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Free   Period Products Bill (NIA Bill 39/17-22)

11/10/21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/ Bills progressing by accelerated passage

PROXY VOTING NOTICES – TUESDAY 12 OCTOBER 2021

The following Members notified the Speaker, under Standing Order 112, that they wished to avail of proxy voting arrangements for the sitting on Tuesday 12 October 2021:

Steve Aiken

Cara Hunter

Andy Allen

William Irwin

Caoimhe   Archibald

Declan   Kearney

Kellie   Armstrong

Dolores Kelly

Rosemary Barton

Gerry Kelly

Doug Beattie

Liz Kimmins

Roy Beggs

Naomi Long

John Blair

Trevor Lunn

Cathal Boylan

Gordon Lyons

Maurice   Bradley

Nichola   Mallon

Paula Bradley

Declan   McAleer

Sinead   Bradley

Fra McCann

Paula   Bradshaw

Daniel   McCrossan

Nicola Brogan

Patsy McGlone

Keith   Buchanan

Philip   McGuigan

Thomas   Buchanan

Maolíosa   McHugh

Jonathan   Buckley

Michelle   McIlveen

Pam Cameron

Sinead   McLaughlin

Pat Catney

Justin   McNulty

Alan Chambers

Gary   Middleton

Trevor Clarke

Andrew Muir

Pádraig   Delargy

Áine Murphy

Stewart   Dickson

Conor Murphy

Linda Dillon

Mike Nesbitt

Diane Dodds

Robin Newton

Jemma Dolan

Carál Ní   Chuilín

Stephen Dunne

Michelle   O’Neill

Mark Durkan

Matthew   O’Toole

Alex Easton

Edwin Poots

Sinead Ennis

George   Robinson

Deborah   Erskine

Emma Rogan

Ciara   Ferguson

Pat Sheehan

Órlaithí   Flynn

Emma Sheerin

Paul Frew

Christopher   Stalford

Colm   Gildernew

John Stewart

Paul Givan

Mervyn Storey

Deirdre   Hargey

Robin Swann

Harry Harvey

Peter Weir

David   Hilditch

Jim Wells

William   Humphrey