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:

Mrs Pam Cameron
Mrs Linda Dillon
Mr Danny Donnelly
Dr Steve Aiken
Ms Cara Hunter
Mr Philip McGuigan
Mr Daniel McCrossan
Mr Pat Sheehan

3. Ministerial Statement

Statement: North South Ministerial Council Agriculture meeting

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.

The Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Mr Andrew Muir, made a statement regarding a North South Ministerial Council Agriculture meeting, following which he replied to questions.

4. Executive Committee Business

4.1 Motion: The Executive Legislative Programme 2024

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes the Executive’s Legislation Programme as presented by the First Minister and deputy First Minister in their statement of 23 May 2024.

The Executive Office

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

4.2 Consideration Stage: Defective Premises Bill (NIA Bill 03/22-27)

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

One amendment was tabled to the Bill.

Clauses
The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clause 1 stand part of the Bill.

Debate ensued.

The sitting was suspended at 12.57 pm.

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

5. Question Time

5.1 Infrastructure

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister for Infrastructure, Mr John O’Dowd.

The Speaker took the Chair.

6. Executive Committee Business (cont’d)

6.1 Consideration Stage: Defective Premises Bill (NIA Bill 03/22-27) (cont’d)

Debate resumed.

After debate, Amendment 1 inserting new clause ‘Defective materials, products and design features etc.’ was negatived on division (Division).

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clause 2 stand part of the Bill.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clause 3 stand part of the Bill.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clause 4 stand part of the Bill.

Long Title

The question being put, the Long Title was agreed without division.

The Defective Premises Bill (NIA Bill 03/22-27) stood referred to the Speaker.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

7. Private Members’ Business

7.1 Motion: Energy Market

Proposed:

That this this Assembly recognises the cost of living crisis is exacerbated by the cost of energy; further recognises that this constitutes the direct cost of a reliance on fossil fuels in an increasingly unstable world; endorses the concept of energy transition proofing for all public policy and legislation, including development rights for green infrastructure; acknowledges the value of constructing and retrofitting houses and offices prioritising renewable energy sources; and calls on the Minister for the Economy urgently to introduce the necessary legislation emerging from the current Energy Strategy, including to alter the terms of the Utility Regulator to incorporate oil within its role and to carry out its functions with due regard to the need to meet net zero targets.

Mr David Honeyford
Ms Sorcha Eastwood
Mr Peter McReynolds
Mr Andrew McMurray

Amendment:

Proposed:

At end insert:

‘; and further calls on the Minister to work with the Minister for Communities to agree a large-scale social housing retrofit programme to reduce domestic fossil fuel consumption and increase energy efficiency, starting with communities in highest disadvantage, and to make a statement to the Assembly on the progress of this programme within six months.’

Ms Sinéad McLaughlin

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the amendment was made.

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

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.

8. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

Ms Cheryl Brownlee spoke to her topic regarding Hospitality and Tourism in East Antrim.

The Assembly adjourned at 5.28pm.

Mr Edwin Poots
The Speaker
11 June 2024

Northern Ireland Assembly

11 June 2024 – Division

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

Proposed:

New clause
After Clause 1 insert -
‘Defective materials, products and design features etc.
1A. In the Defective Premises (Northern Ireland) Order 1975 after Article 4 insert—

“Defective materials, products and design features etc.
4B.—(1) The Department may, by regulations, specify—
(a) particular building materials;
(b) particular building products;
(c) structural design features; and
(d) any other construction details as the Department may consider appropriate,
which are likely to give rise to a cause of action under Article 3 [or Article 4A].
(2) The Department shall have due regard to the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) Order 1979, and guidance published under those Regulations, when specifying any materials, products, features or other construction details under paragraph (1).
(3) An action shall not be deemed to fail solely on the grounds that the premises in question does not feature a material, product, feature or other detail specified in regulations made under paragraph (1).
(4) The provisions of this section shall be without prejudice to other considerations the court may deem relevant in the determination of an action under this Order.
(5) Regulations under this section may not be made unless a draft of the regulations has been laid before and approved by a resolution of the Assembly.
(6) Before any regulations are laid before the Assembly, the Department shall lay a report with the Assembly detailing the factors which will inform the content of the regulations.”.’

Mr Daniel McCrossan
Mr Mark Durkan

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 27
Noes: 38

AYES

Dr Archibald, Mr Baker, Miss Brogan, Mr Delargy, Mrs Dillon, Mr Durkan, Mrs Ennis, Mrs Ferguson, Miss Hargey, Ms Hunter, Ms Kimmins, Mr McAleer, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McGuigan, Mr McHugh, Ms McLaughlin, Mr McNulty, Mrs Mason, Miss Á Murphy, Mr C Murphy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mr O'Dowd, Mr O'Toole, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Durkan, Mr McCrossan.

NOES

Dr Aiken, Mr Allen, Mr Beattie, Mr Blair, Mr Bradley, Ms Bradshaw, Mr Brett, Mr Brooks, Ms Brownlee, Mr K Buchanan, Ms Bunting, Mr Butler, Mr Chambers, Mr Clarke, Mr Dickson, Mrs Dodds, Mr Donnelly, Mr Dunne, Ms Eastwood, Ms Egan, Mr Elliott, Mrs Erskine, Mr Frew, Mr Harvey, Mr Honeyford, Mr Irwin, Mr Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Mr Lyons, Mr McMurray, Mr McReynolds, Mr Mathison, Mr Muir, Ms Mulholland, Ms Nicholl, Mr Robinson, Mr Stewart, Mr Tennyson.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Brooks, Mr Kingston.

The amendment fell. 

Defective Premises Bill Annotated Marshalled List of Amendments Consideration Stage

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 11 June 2024.

1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly

2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly

3. Orders in Council

4. Statutory Rules

SR 2024/128 The Further Education (Student Support) (Eligibility) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024 (Department for the Economy)

For Information Only

SR 2024/15 The Occupational Pension Schemes (Collective Money Purchase Schemes) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024 (Department for Communities)

SR 2024/74 The Occupational Pension Schemes (Governance and Registration) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024 (Department for Communities)

SR 2024/79 The Occupational Pension Schemes (Administration, Investment, Charges and Governance) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024 (Department for Communities)

5. Legislative Consent Memorandums

6. Assembly Reports

Report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules to the Assembly and the Appropriate Committee Seventeenth Report of Session 2023 – 2024 (Northern Ireland Assembly) (NIA 38/22-27)

7. Written Ministerial Statements

8. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) on Regulation of Public Drinking Water Quality by the Drinking Water Inspectorate.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council (NMDDC) Retention and Disposal Schedule (Department for Communities)

9. Publications Presented in the Northern Ireland Assembly

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 11 June 2024
2022-2027 Mandate
Executive Bills