Minutes of Proceedings

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

1. Prayers

Members observed two minutes’ silence.

2. Speaker’s Business

2.1 Fiachra Ó’Faoláin
The Speaker noted the death of Fiachra Ó'Faoláin over the weekend and expressed both his and the Assembly’s sympathies to the entire Gildernew family.

2.2 Ministerial Appointment
The Speaker informed Members that Mr Mike Nesbitt had accepted the nomination for Minister of Health and affirmed the Pledge of Office as set out in Schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998, in his presence and that of the Director of Legal, Governance and Research Services, on Wednesday 29 May 2024.

3. Members’ Statements

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

Mrs Linda Dillon
Mr Phillip Brett
Mr Nick Mathison
Mr Robin Swann
Ms Sinéad McLaughlin
Ms Aisling Reilly
Mr Alan Robinson
Mr Stewart Dickson
Mr David Brooks
Mr Robbie Butler
Mr Justin McNulty
Mr Stephen Dunne
Mr Daniel McCrossan

4. Assembly Business

4.1 Motion: Committee Membership

Proposed:

That Mr Stephen Dunne replace Mr Jonathan Buckley as a member of the Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee.

Mr Trevor Clarke
Mr David Brooks

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

4.2 Motion: Northern Ireland Assembly Commission Budget for the Financial Year 2024-25

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes the report of the Audit Committee (NIA 17/22-27) on the scrutiny of the Assembly Commission’s budget for the financial year 2024-25, as laid before the Assembly on 9 April 2024; and agrees the Assembly Commission’s budget for 2024-25.

Mrs Sinéad Ennis
Mr Trevor Clarke
Miss Nuala McAllister
Mr Robbie Butler
Mr Colin McGrath

Debate ensued.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.

5. Ministerial Statements

5.1 Statement: North South Ministerial Council Education Meeting

The Minister of Education, Mr Paul Givan, made a statement regarding a North South Ministerial Council Education meeting, following which he replied to questions.

The sitting suspended at 1.14pm and resumed at 1.30pm.

5.2 Statement: Introductory Statement

The Minister of Health, Mr Mike Nesbitt, made an Introductory Statement following his recent appointment, following which he replied to questions.

The statement stood suspended for Question Time.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the chair.

6. Question Time

6.1 Economy

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister for the Economy, Mr Conor Murphy.

The Speaker took the Chair.

6.2 Education

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Education, Mr Paul Givan.

7. Question for Urgent Oral Answer

7.1 Justice (Sexual Offences and Trafficking Victims) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022

The Minister of Justice, Mrs Naomi Long, responded to a Question for Urgent Oral Answer tabled by Mr Matthew O’Toole.

8. Ministerial Statements (cont’d)

8.1 Statement: Introductory Statement (cont’d)

The Statement resumed.

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.

9. Executive Committee Business

9.1 Motion: The draft Human Medicines (Amendment Relating to Original Pack Dispensing) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024

Proposed:

That the draft Human Medicines (Amendment Relating to Original Pack Dispensing) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024 be approved.

Minister of Health

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

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

Proposed:

That Standing Orders 10(2) to 10(4) be suspended for 3 June 2024.

Minister for Communities

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

The Speaker took the Chair.

9.3 Motion: Accelerated Passage – Defective Premises Bill (NIA Bill 03/22-27)

Proposed:

That the Defective Premises Bill proceed under the accelerated passage procedure.

Minister for Communities

Debate ensued.

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

9.4 Second Stage: Defective Premises Bill (NIA Bill 03/22-27)

The Minister for Communities, Mr Gordon Lyons, moved the Second Stage of the Defective Premises Bill (NIA Bill 03/22-27).

Debate ensued.

The Defective Premises Bill (NIA Bill 03/22-27) passed Second Stage.

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.

9.5 Second Stage: Pensions (Extension of Automatic Enrolment) Bill (NIA Bill 04/22-27)

The Minister for Communities, Mr Gordon Lyons, moved the Second Stage of the Pensions (Extension of Automatic Enrolment) Bill (NIA Bill 04/22-27).

Debate ensued.

The Pensions (Extension of Automatic Enrolment) Bill (NIA Bill 04/22-27) passed Second Stage.

10. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 6.23pm.

Mr Edwin Poots
The Speaker
3 June 2024

 
Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 29 May 2024 to 3 June 2024.

1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly

2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly

Defective Premises Bill (NIA Bill 03/22-27)

3. Orders in Council

4. Statutory Rules

SR 2024/0000 The Fisheries Act 2020 (Scheme for Financial Assistance) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024 (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)

SR 2024/123 The Smoke, Heat and Carbon Monoxide Alarms for Private Tenancies Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024 (Department for Communities)

SR 2024/124 The Whole of Government Accounts (Designation of Bodies) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024 (Department of Finance)

SR 2024/0000 The Damages (Process for Setting Rate of Return) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024 (Department of Justice)

For Information Only

SR 2024/120 The Prohibition of U-Turn (Ballygawley) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2024/121 The Road Races (Cairncastle Hill Climb) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2023/209 The Pensions Dashboards (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2023 (Department for Communities)

5. Legislative Consent Memorandums

Legislative Consent Memorandum - Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Act: Issued under Standing Order 42A (Department of Justice)

6. Assembly Reports

Inquiry Report on Regulation (EU) 2024/1143 of the European Parliament and of the Council, of 11 April 2024, on geographical indications for wine, spirit drinks and agricultural products, as well as traditional specialities guaranteed and optional quality terms for agricultural products, amending Regulations (EU) No 1308/2013, (EU) 2019/787 and (EU) 2019/1753 and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 (Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee)

7. Written Ministerial Statements

RAISE Programme (Minister of Education)

8. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

2022-2023 Annual Report of the Certification Officer of Northern Ireland (Department for the Economy)

9. Publications Presented to the Northern Ireland Assembly

Department of Finance Memorandum on the Thirteenth Report from the Public Accounts Committee Mandate 2017-2022 - Broadband Investment in Northern Ireland (Department of Finance)