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 Democratic Consent Process

The Speaker reminded Members that he had received notification from the Secretary of State of the start of the democratic consent process under the Windsor Framework, on 31 October 2024, and outlined the steps that must be considered.

2.2 Private Members' Bills

The Speaker informed the Assembly that he had written to all Members who had submitted proposals to develop Private Members’ Bill.

2.3 Authority and Impartiality of the Chair

The Speaker reminded Members that Points of Order should not be used to make political points and cautioned Members against challenging the authority and impartiality of his decisions or decisions delegated to the Principal Deputy Speaker or Deputy Speakers.

3. Members’ Statements

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

Mr Colm Gildernew
Miss Michelle McIlveen
Mr Andrew McMurray
Mr Robbie Butler
Ms Sinéad McLaughlin
Miss Jemma Dolan
Mr Alan Robinson
Mr Declan McAleer
Ms Cheryl Brownlee
Mr Peter McReynolds
Mr Gary Middleton
Ms Cara Hunter
Mr Phillip Brett
Mr Timothy Gaston

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.

4. Ministerial Statements

4.1 Work ongoing to Reform Access to Justice

The Minister of Justice, Mrs Naomi Long, made a statement regarding Work ongoing to Reform Access to Justice, following which she replied to questions.

4.2 Outcome of Chancellor’s Autumn Budget

The Minister of Finance, Dr Caoimhe Archibald, made a statement regarding the Outcome of the Chancellor's Autumn Budget, following which she replied to questions.

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.

5. Executive Committee Business

5.1 Motion: The Coronavirus Act 2020 (Extension of Provisions Relating to Live Links for Courts and Tribunals) (No.2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024

Proposed:

That the Coronavirus Act 2020 (Extension of Provisions Relating to Live Links for Courts and Tribunals) (No.2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024 be approved.

Minister of Justice

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

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, Mr Andrew Muir.

6.2 Communities

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

7. Question for Urgent Oral Answer

7.1 Sexually Motivated Attacks in the North West

The Minister of Justice, Mrs Naomi Long, responded to a Question for Urgent Oral Answer tabled by Ms Claire Sugden.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

8. Private Members’ Business

8.1 Motion: Rejuvenating our High Streets and Town Centres

Proposed:

That this Assembly recognises the importance of thriving high streets and town centres to the economic vibrancy and social fabric of our communities; further recognises the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the economic downturn and changing consumer habits on retailers, the hospitality sector and other high street businesses; and calls on the Minister for the Economy to produce a comprehensive strategy to rejuvenate high streets and town centres.

Mr David Honeyford
Ms Kate Nicholl
Mr Peter McReynolds
Mr Nick Mathison

Amendment 1:

Proposed:

Leave out all after ‘high street businesses;’ and insert:

‘acknowledges that the majority of businesses on our high streets are small, reflecting the broader structure of the local economy; further acknowledges that, compared to their larger counterparts, these businesses are disproportionately affected by the current non-domestic rates system; and calls on the Minister for the Economy to work with the Minister of Finance to produce a comprehensive strategy to rejuvenate high streets and town centres, including options for the reform of non-domestic rates’

Ms Sinéad McLaughlin
Mr Matthew O’Toole

Amendment 2:

Proposed:

After ‘high street businesses;’ insert:

‘notes that the inaccessibility of many high street and town centre footpaths presents an unacceptable obstacle to the participation of disabled people in society; further notes that workers fought for and won the two-day weekend;’

Mr Gerry Carroll

Amendment 3:

Proposed:

At end insert:

‘and to include actions to address long-term derelict buildings, which are detrimental to town centre development.’

Ms Diana Armstrong
Mr Robbie Butler
Mr Andy Allen
Mr Colin Crawford

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, amendment 1 was made.

The Question being put, amendment 2 was made.

The Question being put, amendment 3 was made.

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

The Speaker took the Chair.

8.2 Motion: Release of Police Ombudsman’s Report into the Kingsmill Massacre

Proposed:

That this Assembly condemns the callous, sectarian and terrorist murder of ten protestant workmen at Kingsmill on 5 January 1976; stands with the sole survivor, Mr Alan Black, and the bereaved families in their ongoing pursuit of truth and justice; deplores the failure of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland to disclose the findings of the Office’s investigation within a reasonable timeframe; notes the urgency of this matter, given Mr Black’s age and health; and calls on the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland to release its investigation report, in relation to the Kingsmill atrocity, without further delay.

Mr Trevor Clarke
Ms Joanne Bunting
Mr William Irwin
Mr Jonathan Buckley

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

9. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 6.10pm.

Mr Edwin Poots
The Speaker
4 November 2024

 
Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 23 October 2024 to 4 November 2024.

1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly

2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly

3. Orders in Council

4. Statutory Rules

SR 2024/187 The Coopers Mill Park, Dundonald (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2024/188 The Drumna Walk, Lurgan (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2024/189 The Social Fund Winter Fuel Payment (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024 (Department for Communities)

SR 2024/190 The Waring Street, Lurgan (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2024/191 The Building (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024 Department of Finance)

For Information Only

SR 2024/186 The Adoption and Children (2022 Act) (Commencement No.3) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024 (Department of Health)

5. Legislative Consent Memorandums

6. Assembly Reports

Report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules to the Assembly and the Appropriate Committees Twenty-Fifth Report of Session 2024-2025 (Northern Ireland Assembly) (NIA 56/22-27)

7. Written Ministerial Statements

Children with Disabilities – Short Breaks (Minister of Health)

Addressing Health Inequalities – Announcement of Live Better Areas (Minister of Health)

Radioisotopes Shortage (Minister of Health)

8. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

Education Authority Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024 (Department of Education)

Office for Environmental Protection Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024 (The Office for Environmental Protection)

Victims and Survivors Service Limited Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024 (Victims and Survivors Service)

Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals Northern Ireland 2023 (Department of Health)

Weights and Measures Report for the period 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2023 (Department for the Economy)

Department of Education Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024 (Department of Finance)

9. Publications Presented to the Northern Ireland Assembly

DfI Roads Report Western Division - 2024 Annual Report to Fermanagh and Omagh District Council (Department for Infrastructure)

DfI Roads Report Southern Division - Report to Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council Annual Report 2024-25 (Department for Infrastructure)

Statistical Review of Northern Ireland Agriculture 2023 (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)