Tuesday, 7 July 2020
The Assembly met at 10:30 am (Deputy Speaker [Mr Beggs] in the Chair). Members observed two minutes' silence.
I beg to move That Standing Order 20A be suspended for 7 July 2020.
I beg to move That the Second Stage of the Pension Schemes Bill [NIA Bill 07/17-22] be agreed.
These two motions are to approve statutory rules. There will be a single debate on both motions. I will ask the Clerk to read the first motion and then call the to Minister to move it. The...
Resolved: That the Sea Fish Industry (Coronavirus) (Fixed Costs) (Amendment) Scheme (Northern Ireland) 2020 be approved. — [Mr Poots (The Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural...
I beg to move That the Rates (Exemption for Automatic Telling Machines in Rural Areas) Order (Northern Ireland) 2020 be affirmed.
I beg to move That this Assembly endorses the principle of the inclusion in the Business and Planning Bill of provision for temporary reduction in the duration of certain Northern Ireland driving...
I beg to move That this Assembly recognises the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the taxi, haulage, driving instruction and private hire bus and coach sectors; acknowledges that these...
Members will be aware that, as part of our phased resumption of Question Time, only listed questions will be asked of Ministers. Topical questions have been suspended for today. Members who ask...
1. Mr Buckley asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on the issues delaying payment to victims from the Troubles-related-incident victims' payment scheme. (AQO 520/17-22)
2. Ms Dolan asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister what assurances they can give that the recommendations of the Hart inquiry will be implemented fully. (AQO 521/17-22)
3. Mr Humphrey asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on the Urban Villages initiative in North Belfast. (AQO 522/17-22)
4. Mr K Buchanan asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on the implementation of New Decade, New Approach. (AQO 523/17-22)
5. Ms Bailey asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on the work of the Commission on Flags, Identity, Culture and Tradition. (AQO 524/17-22)
7. Ms C Kelly asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on the negotiations on the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland. (AQO 526/17-22)
8. Mr T Buchanan asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on the appointment of a Commissioner for Survivors of Institutional Childhood Abuse. (AQO 527/17-22)
9. Mr McGrath asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister what representations they have made to the Secretary of State on legacy issues following his statement of 18 March on addressing...
10. Dr Archibald asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on the level and scope of departmental funding to promote good relations and support the needs of local minority...
12. Mr Hilditch asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister to outline the proposed guidance tattoo parlours must follow when reopening. (AQO 531/17-22)
13. Mr McNulty asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister to outline their plans to review the racial equality strategy 2015-2025. (AQO 532/17-22)
14. Mr G Kelly asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on the Executive's response to COVID-19. (AQO 533/17-22)
15. Mr Sheehan asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on the Executive’s plans for economic recovery following the COVID-19 crisis. (AQO 534/17-22)
Order, Members. Question Time has resumed. It is now time for questions to the Minister of Health.
1. Ms Anderson asked the Minister of Health what action he has taken to ensure that a robust policy of test, trace and isolate can be implemented fully in the event of a second wave of COVID-19....
2. Mr Hilditch asked the Minister of Health when restrictions will be eased to allow partners to attend antenatal scans. (AQO 536/17-22)
3. Mr Harvey asked the Minister of Health whether eligibility for the forthcoming influenza immunisation programme will be impacted by COVID-19 restrictions. (AQO 537/17-22)
5. Mr Allen asked the Minister of Health for an update on the contact tracing programme. (AQO 539/17-22)
6. Mr K Buchanan asked the Minister of Health what plans he has in place to address a second wave of COVID-19. (AQO 540/17-22)
7. Ms C Kelly asked the Minister of Health to outline how he plans to fill the vacancies on the board of the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA), including a time frame for new...
8. Mr McAleer asked the Minister of Health for an update on the management board for Rebuilding Health and Social Care Services' most recent interaction with the Transformation Advisory Board and...
9. Mr Dunne asked the Minister of Health when all outpatient services will reopen fully at Belfast City Hospital. (AQO 543/17-22)
10. Ms Ennis asked the Minister of Health what assurance he can give that partnership working with those who use and deliver urgent and emergency care will be central in any reconfiguration of...
11. Ms Hunter asked the Minister of Health, given the complex nature of COVID-19 and the limited access to mental health facilities in rural areas, what consideration he has given to a pilot...
12. Ms McLaughlin asked the Minister of Health, given its lack of trade union or allied health professional representation, how he will ensure the new management board engages with front-line...
Debate resumed on amendment to motion: That this Assembly recognises the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the taxi, haulage, driving instruction and private hire bus and coach sectors;...
I beg to move That this Assembly recognises the significant impact of COVID-19 on children and adults with a disability and the exceptional contribution of family carers further to the cessation...
I ask Members to take their seats. As the Principal Deputy Speaker has outlined, it falls to me, as temporary Speaker, to chair the debate. I remind all Members that, in my role of temporary...
The current Northern Ireland Assembly was established in 1998 as part of the Belfast Agreement. It was suspended on the 14th of October 2002, and remained suspended until 8th May 2007.
Between 8 May 2006 and 22 November 2006 the Assembly established under the Northern Ireland Act 2006, and between November 2006 and January 2007 the Transitional Assembly created by the Northern Ireland (St Andrews Agreement) Act 2006, met in order to prepare for the restoration of devolved government.