Order Paper

1.   Prayers

2.   Assembly Business

Motion: Appointment of the Northern Ireland Assembly Commissioner for Standards

Proposed:

That this Assembly, in accordance with Section 19(1) of the Assembly Members (Independent Financial Review and Standards) Act (Northern Ireland) 2011, appoints Dr Melissa McCullough as the Northern Ireland Assembly Commissioner for Standards.

Mr John Blair
Mr Keith Buchanan
Mr Robbie Butler
Mrs Dolores Kelly
Mr John O’Dowd

3.   Question Time

3.1     Infrastructure

3.2     Justice

4.   Private Members’ Business

Motion: Custodial Sentences for Attacks Against Emergency Workers

Proposed:

That this Assembly supports tougher custodial sentences for those convicted of attacks against emergency workers in Northern Ireland, including police officers, prison officers, firefighters, search and rescue workers and frontline health care staff; welcomes the campaign led by the courageous widow of PC Andrew Harper in favour of whole life sentences, which reflects widespread public frustration with the current outcomes in such cases; acknowledges the recent UK Government commitment to increase penalties applicable under the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018; notes that in the Republic of Ireland there exists a set tariff of forty years for the murder of a police officer, whilst, in Northern Ireland, the starting tariff in equivalent circumstances is between fifteen and sixteen years; and calls on the Minister of Justice to bring forward, as a matter of urgency, a revised sentencing framework which better reflects the seriousness of these crimes.

Mr Paul Givan
Mr Mervyn Storey

Motion: Future Support for Businesses and Workers during COVID-19

Proposed:

That this Assembly recognises the significant impact that the COVID-19 crisis has had on the public; notes that Department for the Economy projections show more than 100,000 people could be unemployed by the end of 2020; acknowledges that COVID-19 has continued to spread and may result in further restrictions on workers and businesses; expresses deep concern at the political decision to end the furlough scheme in October; and calls on the British Government to extend the furlough scheme to provide future support to businesses and workers during the course of the COVID-19 pandemic as a critical lever to economic recovery.

Mr Colin McGrath
Mr Matthew O’Toole
Ms Sinead McLaughlin

Ms Nichola Mallon

5.   Adjournment