Minutes of Proceedings

The Assembly met at 10.30am, 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 John O'Dowd

Mrs Diane Dodds

Mr Matthew O'Toole

Mr Chris Lyttle

Mr Jim Allister

Mr Pat Sheehan

Mr Paul Frew

Mr Colin McGrath

Mr Gerry Carroll

Ms Emma Sheerin

3. Executive Committee Business

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

The Minister for Communities, Ms Deirdre Hargey, introduced a Bill to amend the Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Northern Ireland) Order 1985; and for connected purposes.

The Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 36/17-22) passed First Stage and was ordered to be printed.

4. Committee Business

4.1 Motion: Extension of Committee Stage – Charities Bill (NIA Bill 27/17-22)

Proposed:

That, in accordance with Standing Order 33(4), the period referred to in Standing Order 33(2) be extended to 10 December 2021, in relation to the Committee Stage of the Charities Bill.

Chairperson, Committee for Communities

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

5. Private Members' Business

5.1 Second Stage: Defamation Bill (NIA Bill 25/17-22)

Mr Mike Nesbitt moved the Second Stage of the Defamation Bill (NIA Bill 25/17-22).

Debate ensued.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr McGlone, took the Chair.

The sitting was suspended at 1.00pm.

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

6. Question Time

6.1 Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Mr Edwin Poots.

The Speaker took the Chair.

7. Question for Urgent Oral Answer

7.1 Continuing Healthcare

The Minister of Health, Mr Robin Swann, responded to a Question for Urgent Oral Answer tabled by Mrs Pam Cameron.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Beggs, took the Chair.

8. Private Members' Business (cont'd)

8.1 Second Stage: Defamation Bill (NIA Bill 25/17-22) (cont'd)

Debate resumed.

The Defamation Bill (NIA Bill 25/17-22) passed Second Stage.

The Speaker took the Chair.

8.2 Motion: Increased Financial Burden on Workers, Families, and Pensioners

Proposed:

That this Assembly is firmly committed to a fair economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic; recognises the damage to our health and social care as a result of a legacy of British government austerity; further recognises the need to rebuild our health and social care services as we emerge from this pandemic; expresses its deep concern that the British government intends to tax the least well off through increases in National Insurance contributions and reduced increases in pension; and calls on the British government to remove the burden for funding health and social care from ordinary workers, families and pensioners and to place this, instead, on the many companies and individuals who have made huge profits during or from the pandemic.

Dr Caoimhe Archibald
Mr John O'Dowd
Ms Jemma Dolan
Ms Emma Sheerin

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

9. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

Mr Trevor Clarke spoke to his topic regarding Roads in South Antrim.

The Assembly adjourned at 5.34pm.

Mr Alex Maskey
The Speaker
14 September 2021

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 14 September 2021

1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly

2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly

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

3. Orders in Council

4. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

5. Assembly Reports

6. Statutory Rules

SR 2021/252 The Financial Assistance (Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) Remediation Fund) (Private Residential Properties over 18m) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Department of Finance)

7. Written Ministerial Statements

Update on the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, 14 September 2021 (Minister of Health)

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 14 September 2021

2017-2022 Mandate
Executive Bills               

2017-2022 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills

/ Bills progressing by accelerated passage

PROXY VOTING NOTICES – TUESDAY 14 SEPTEMBER 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 14 September 2021: