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 Cathy Mason
Mr Harry Harvey
Ms Kate Nicholl
Ms Diana Armstrong
Mr Colin McGrath
Mr Alan Robinson
Mr Cathal Boylan
Mr Peter McReynolds
Mr Keith Buchanan
Dr Steve Aiken
Ms Cheryl Brownlee
Mr Timothy Gaston
Mr Peter Martin
Mr Maurice Bradley

3. Ministerial Statement

3.1 Review of Environmental Governance

The Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Mr Andrew Muir, made a statement regarding a Review of Environmental Governance, following which he replied to questions.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Blair, took the Chair.

3.2 Emergency Fuel Support for Winter 24-25

The Minister for Communities, Mr Gordon Lyons, made a statement regarding Emergency Fuel Support for Winter 24-25, following which he replied to questions.

4. Executive Committee Business

4.1 Motion: The draft Electrical Safety Standards for Private Tenancies Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024

Proposed:

That the draft Electrical Safety Standards for Private Tenancies Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024 be approved.

Minister for Communities

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion, was carried.

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.

5. Private Members’ Business

5.1 Motion: Addressing the Problem of Bovine TB

Proposed:

That this Assembly acknowledges that bovine TB (bTB) remains a serious threat to farming and recognises the significant impact it has on farmers; affirms the importance of agriculture and food production to our economy and society; notes the work of the TB Eradication Partnership and their efforts to address bTB; and calls on the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to urgently bring forward a comprehensive and holistic bTB strategy, with a focus on specific science-based strategies proven to reduce bTB.

Mr Declan McAleer
Miss Áine Murphy
Miss Nicola Brogan
 

Amendment:

Proposed:

At the end insert:

‘, including wildlife intervention.’

Miss Michelle McIlveen
Mr Tom Buchanan
Mr William Irwin

Debate ensued.

The sitting was suspended at 12.52pm.

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

6. Question Time

6.1 Justice

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Justice, Mrs Naomi Long.

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.

7. Private Members’ Business (cont’d)

7.1 Motion: Addressing the Problem of Bovine TB (cont’d)

Debate resumed.

The Question being put, the amendment was made.

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

7.2 Motion: Protecting Farming Families Following the Autumn Budget 2024

Proposed:

That this Assembly condemns the failure by the UK Government to prioritise farming families and the rural economy as part of the Autumn Budget 2024; notes with deep concern the decisions to introduce new thresholds for Inheritance Tax and Agricultural Property Relief, which will jeopardise succession planning on farms, create barriers for new entrants to agriculture and discourage investment in many farm businesses; further notes that these policies undermine the aim of increasing food security and promoting more sustainable and efficient farming practices; is equally alarmed that the Chancellor of the Exchequer has opted not to ring-fence farm support budgets or uplift levels of funding in line with inflation; calls on the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to bring forward proposals to mitigate the impact of these damaging policies on local farms, as well as avoid significant increases in food prices; and further calls on the Minister to work with the Minister of Finance to deliver an early and concrete commitment to farming families that current levels of financial support will not only be maintained but increased in the next financial year.

Miss Michelle McIlveen
Mr William Irwin
Mr Tom Buchanan

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion, was carried.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Blair, took the Chair.

8. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

Mr Colin Crawford spoke to his topic regarding Special Educational Needs Provision in North Antrim.

The Assembly adjourned at 5.46pm.

Mr Edwin Poots
The Speaker
19 November 2024

 
Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 19 November 2024.

1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly

2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly

3. Orders in Council

4. Statutory Rules

5. Legislative Consent Memorandums

6. Assembly Reports

7. Written Ministerial Statements

8. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

Report of the Appointed Person for Northern Ireland under sections 195I, 291, and 303F of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and under article 103H of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (External Requests and Orders) Order 2005 for the period 01.04.23 until 31.03.24 (Department of Justice)

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 19 November 2024
2022-2027 Mandate
Executive Bills