Minutes of Proceedings
Session: Session currently unavailable
Date: 08 February 2022
The Assembly met at 10.30am, the Speaker in the Chair.
1. Prayers
Members observed two minutes' silence.
2. Matter of the Day
2.1 Police Ombudsman Report
Mr Matthew O'Toole, under Standing Order 24, made a statement on the Police Ombudsman Report. Other Members were also called to speak on the matter.
3. Assembly Business
3.1 Consideration of business not concluded on Monday 7 February 2022
The Speaker informed the Assembly that the first item of business on the Order Paper was the consideration of business not concluded on Monday 7 February 2022, and that as the scheduled motion from the Committee for Infrastructure had not been reached when that sitting was adjourned, that item of business would be taken now.
4. Committee Business
4.1 Motion: Support for the innovative measures to eliminate DVA Backlogs
Proposed:
That this Assembly recognises the difficulties and disruption caused to all public-facing services, including the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA), as a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic; further recognises the unnecessary costs that can be faced by individuals and businesses as a result of preventable delays in the provision of driver and vehicle testing services by the DVA, including driver testing and retesting, and the reduced number of vehicles being tested when compared to pre-pandemic levels; acknowledges the work done to date by the Minister for Infrastructure and the Department to restore services; and calls on the Minister for Infrastructure to put in place creative and innovative measures to eliminate unnecessary and preventable delays in the delivery of services by the DVA, in order to reduce costs and uncertainty to individuals and businesses.
Chairperson, Committee for Infrastructure
Debate ensued.
The Question being put, the motion was carried.
The Deputy Speaker, Mr Beggs, took the Chair.
5. Executive Committee Business
5.1 Motion: The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022
Proposed:
That the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 be approved.
Minister of Health
Motion: The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022
Proposed:
That the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 be approved.
Minister of Health
Motion: The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 3) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022
Proposed:
That the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 3) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 be approved.
Minister of Health
Motion: The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022
Proposed:
That the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 be approved.
Minister of Health
A single debate ensued on all four motions.
The Question being put, the motion on the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 was carried.
The Question being put, the motion on the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 was carried.
The Question being put, the motion on the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 3) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 was carried.
The Question being put, the motion on the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 was carried.
5.2 Motion: Suspension of Standing Order 42(1) - Organ and Tissue Donation (Deemed Consent) Bill
Proposed:
That Standing Order 42(1) be suspended for 8 February 2022 in respect of the Final Stage of the Organ and Tissue Donation (Deemed Consent) Bill.
Minister of Health
Debate ensued.
The question being put, the motion was agreed with cross-community support.
5.3 Final Stage: Organ and Tissue Donation (Deemed Consent) Bill (NIA Bill 30/17-22)
The Minister of Health, Mr Robin Swann, moved the Final Stage of the Organ and Tissue Donation (Deemed Consent) Bill (NIA Bill 30/17-22).
Debate ensued.
The sitting was suspended at 1.00 pm.
The sitting resumed at 1.30pm, with the Deputy Speaker, Mr Beggs, in the chair.
Debate resumed.
The debate was suspended for Question Time. The Speaker took 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.
7. Executive Committee Business (cont'd)
7.1 Final Stage: Organ and Tissue Donation (Deemed Consent) Bill (NIA Bill 30/17-22)
Debate resumed.
The Organ and Tissue Donation (Deemed Consent) Bill (NIA Bill 30/17-22) passed Final Stage.
The Deputy Speaker, Mr Beggs, took the Chair.
7.2 Motion: The draft Welfare Supplementary Payments (Amendment) Regulations 2022
Proposed:
That the draft Welfare Supplementary Payment (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 be approved.
Minister for Communities
Debate ensued.
The question being put, the motion was carried.
7.3 Final Stage: Charities Bill (NIA Bill 27/17-22)
The Minister for Communities, Ms Deirdre Hargey, moved the Final Stage of the Charities Bill (NIA Bill 27/17-22).
Debate ensued.
The Charities Bill (NIA Bill 27/17-22) passed Final Stage.
7.4 Motion: Accelerated Passage - School Age Bill (NIA Bill 52/17-22)
Proposed:
That the School Age Bill proceed under the accelerated passage procedure.
Minister of Education
Debate ensued.
The question being put, the motion was agreed with cross-community support.
7.5 Second Stage: School Age Bill (NIA Bill 52/17-22)
The Minister of Education, Miss Michelle McIlveen, moved Second Stage of the School Age Bill (NIA Bill 52/17-22).
Debate ensued.
The Deputy Speaker, Mr McGlone, took the Chair.
The School Age Bill (NIA Bill 52/17-22) passed Second Stage.
7.6 Consideration Stage: Welfare Supplementary Payments (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 50/17-22)
The Minister for Communities, Ms Deirdre Hargey, moved the Consideration Stage of the Welfare Supplementary Payments (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 50/17-22).
Eight amendments were tabled to the Bill and selected for debate.
Clauses
After debate, Amendment 1 to Clause 1 was made.
As Amendment 1 was made, Amendment 2 was not called.
As Amendment 1 was made, Amendment 3 was not called.
As Amendment 1 was made, Amendment 4 was not called.
The question being put, it was agreed that Clause 1, as amended, stand part of the Bill.
The question being put, it was agreed that Clause 2 stand part of the Bill.
After debate, Amendment 5 to Clause 3 was made.
After debate, Amendment 6 to Clause 3 was not moved.
After debate, Amendment 7 to Clause 3 was made.
As Amendment 1 was made, Amendment 8 was not called.
The question being put, it was agreed that Clause 3, as amended, stand part of the Bill.
The question being put, it was agreed that Clause 4 stand part of the Bill.
Long Title
The question being put, the Long Title was agreed.
The Welfare Supplementary Payments (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 50/17-22) stood referred to the Speaker.
The sitting was suspended at 6.17 pm and resumed at 6.52 pm, with the Speaker in the Chair.
8. Private Members' Business
8.1 Second Stage: Onshore Fracking (Prohibition) Bill (NIA Bill 48/17-22)
Ms Áine Murphy moved Second Stage of the Onshore Fracking (Prohibition) Bill (NIA Bill 48/17-22).
Debate ensued.
The Onshore Fracking (Prohibition) Bill (NIA Bill 48/17-22) passed Second Stage.
9. Adjournment
Proposed:
That the Assembly do now adjourn.
The Speaker
The Assembly adjourned at 8.32pm.
Mr Alex Maskey
The Speaker
8 February 2022
Welfare Supplementary Payments (Amendment) Bill Annotated Marshalled List of Amendments
Northern Ireland Assembly
Papers Presented to the Assembly on 8 February 2022
1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly
2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly
Motor Vehicles (Compulsory Insurance) Bill (NIA Bill 53/17-22)
3. Orders in Council
4. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly
5. Assembly Reports
6. Statutory Rules
SR 2022/31 The Pharmaceutical Services (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 (Department of Health)
For information only
Correction Slip Cover Letter for SR 2022/06 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 (Department of Health)
Correction Slip Cover Letter for SR 2022/12 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 (Department of Health)
Correction Slip Cover Letter for SR 2022/16 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No.3) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 (Department of Health)
7. Written Ministerial Statements
Implementation of Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary Checks at Northern Ireland Points of Entry under the Northern Ireland Protocol (Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)
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 8 February 2022
2017-2022 Mandate
Executive Bills
|
Title & |
First |
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 |
15/11/21 |
25/01/22 |
07/02/22 |
|
|
|
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 |
02/02/22 |
|
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) |
|
16/03/21 |
01/10/21 |
30/09/21 |
16/11/21 |
29/11/21 |
07/12/21 |
02/02/22 |
|
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 |
02/02/22 |
|
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 |
17/01/22 |
25/01/22 |
|
|
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 |
24/01/22 |
07/02/22 |
|
|
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 |
02/12/21 |
17/01/22 |
31/01/22 |
08/02/22 |
|
|
Climate Change (No. 2) Bill (NIA Bill 28/17-22) |
05/07/21 |
27/09/21 |
28/01/22 |
20/01/22 |
01/02/22, 02/02/22, 07/02/22 |
|
|
|
|
Justice (Sexual Offences and Trafficking Victims) Bill (NIA Bill 29/17-22) |
05/07/21 |
13/09/21 |
28/01/22 |
27/01/22 |
|
|
|
|
|
Organ and Tissue (Deemed Consent) Bill (NIA Bill 30/17-22) |
05/07/21 |
20/09/21 |
21/01/22 |
16/12/21 |
24/01/22 |
01/02/22 |
08/02/22 |
|
|
Private Tenancies Bill (NIA Bill 32/17-22) |
06/07/21 |
13/09/21 |
14/01/22 |
12/01/22 |
|
|
|
|
|
Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 36/17-22) |
14/09/21 |
27/09/21 |
28/01/22 |
27/01/22 |
|
|
|
|
|
Adoption and Children Bill (NIA Bill 37/17-22) |
20/09/21 |
05/10/21 |
28/01/22 |
27/01/22 |
|
|
|
|
|
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 |
25/01/21 |
05/01/22 |
24/01/22 |
01/02/22 |
07/02/22 |
|
|
Animal Welfare (Service Animals) Bill (NIA Bill 45/17-22) |
15/11/21 |
30/11/21 |
/ |
/ |
14/12/21 |
19/01/22 |
24/01/22 |
|
|
Social Security (Terminal Illness) Bill (NIA Bill 47/17-22) |
29/11/21 |
07/12/21 |
/ |
/ |
14/12/21 |
19/01/22 |
24/01/22 |
|
|
Welfare Supplementary Payments (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 50/17-22) |
14/12/21 |
19/01/22 |
/ |
/ |
08/02/22 |
|
|
|
|
School Age Bill (NIA Bill 52/17-22) |
31/01/22 |
08/02/22 |
/ |
/ |
|
|
|
|
|
Motor Vehicles (Compulsory Insurance) Bill (NIA Bill 53/17-22) |
07/02/22 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2017-2022 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills
|
Title & |
First |
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 |
08/12/21 |
|
|
|
|
|
The Integrated Education Bill (NIA Bill 23/17-22) |
01/06/21 |
06/07/21 |
24/11/21 |
24/11/21 |
19/01/22 |
|
|
|
|
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 |
13/01/22 |
|
|
|
|
|
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 |
27/01/22 |
|
|
|
|
|
Education (Curriculum) (CPR and AED) Bill (NIA Bill 38/17-22) |
04/10/21 |
08/11/21 |
02/02/22 |
02/02/22 |
|
|
|
|
|
Free Period Products Bill (NIA Bill 39/17-22) |
11/10/21 |
09/11/21 |
02/02/22 |
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 |
11/02/22 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
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 |
31/01/22 |
14/03/22 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Onshore Fracking (Prohibition) Bill (NIA Bill 48/17-22) |
29/11/21 |
08/02/22 |
22/03/22 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trade Union and Labour Relations (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 49/17-22) |
30/11/21 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair Employment (School Teachers) Bill (NIA Bill 51/17-22) |
17/01/22 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/ Bills progressing by accelerated passage
PROXY VOTING NOTICES – TUESDAY 8 FEBRUARY 2022
The following Members notified the Speaker, under Standing Order 112, that they wished to avail of proxy voting arrangements for the sitting on Tuesday 8 February 2022:
|
Steve Aiken |
William Humphrey |
|
Andy Allen |
Cara Hunter |
|
Caoimhe Archibald |
William Irwin |
|
Kellie Armstrong |
Declan Kearney |
|
Clare Bailey |
Dolores Kelly |
|
Doug Beattie |
Gerry Kelly |
|
Roy Beggs |
Liz Kimmins |
|
John Blair |
Naomi Long |
|
Cathal Boylan |
Gordon Lyons |
|
Maurice Bradley |
Chris Lyttle |
|
Paula Bradley |
Nichola Mallon |
|
Sinéad Bradley |
Declan McAleer |
|
Paula Bradshaw |
Daniel McCrossan |
|
Nicola Brogan |
Colin McGrath |
|
Keith Buchanan |
Philip McGuigan |
|
Thomas Buchanan |
Maolíosa McHugh |
|
Jonathan Buckley |
Michelle McIlveen |
|
Robbie Butler |
Sinead McLaughlin |
|
Pam Cameron |
Justin McNulty |
|
Gerry Carroll |
Gary Middleton |
|
Pat Catney |
Andrew Muir |
|
Alan Chambers |
Áine Murphy |
|
Trevor Clarke |
Conor Murphy |
|
Pádraig Delargy |
Mike Nesbitt |
|
Linda Dillon |
Robin Newton |
|
Jemma Dolan |
Carál Ní Chuilín |
|
Diane Dodds |
Michelle O’Neill |
|
Stephen Dunne |
Edwin Poots |
|
Mark Durkan |
Aisling Reilly |
|
Alex Easton |
George Robinson |
|
Sinéad Ennis |
Emma Rogan |
|
Deborah Erskine |
Pat Sheehan |
|
Ciara Ferguson |
Emma Sheerin |
|
Órlaithí Flynn |
Christopher Stalford |
|
Paul Frew |
John Stewart |
|
Colm Gildernew |
Mervyn Storey |
|
Paul Givan* |
Claire Sugden |
|
Deirdre Hargey |
Robin Swann |
|
Harry Harvey |
Peter Weir |
|
David Hilditch |
Jim Wells |
*Paul Givan stipulated that he wished to vote in person for the Final Stage of the Organ and Tissue (Deemed Consent) Bill (NIA Bill 30/17-22).
