Patsy McGlone: Mr Allister, your dissent has been noted, and I feel that the motion has been carried. As there are Ayes from all sides of the House, with the exception of one dissenting voice, I am satisfied that cross-community support has been demonstrated. Question accordingly agreed to. Resolved (with cross-community support): That Standing Order 42(1) be suspended in respect of the Fair Employment...
Patsy McGlone: I call Mr Chris Lyttle to move the Consideration Stage of the Fair Employment (School Teachers) Bill. Moved. — [Mr Lyttle.]
Patsy McGlone: Members will have a copy of the Marshalled List of amendments detailing the order for consideration. The amendments have been grouped for debate in the provisional grouping of amendments selected list. There is a single group with one amendment, which deals with extension to commencement. I remind Members that, once the debate on the group is completed, the Questions on the amendment and...
Patsy McGlone: We now come to the single group with one amendment for debate.
Patsy McGlone: The Member should make her contribution.
Patsy McGlone: That concludes questions to the Assembly Commission.
Patsy McGlone: I trust and hope that you have not repeated that offence, if it is an offence.
Patsy McGlone: Just a moment. Mr Nesbitt.
Patsy McGlone: OK, very well: that is efficiency. Mr Allister, you had a point of order.
Patsy McGlone: You have probably repeated the claim that was made earlier, but we will leave those matters to the Speaker. I ask Members to take their ease while we move to the next item of business.
Patsy McGlone: Mr Colin McGrath has given notice of a question for urgent oral answer to the Minister of Health. I remind Members that, if they wish to ask a supplementary question, they should rise continually in their place. The Member who tabled the question will be called automatically to ask a supplementary question.
Patsy McGlone: That concludes questions on the question for urgent oral answer. I ask Members to take their ease while we move to the next item of business.
Patsy McGlone: Before the Commission member responds, I caution Members about the use of certain terminology. Be careful in your use of words, please. OK, Mr Butler.
Patsy McGlone: The Member is not in the Chamber to ask question 13.
Patsy McGlone: Questions 4 and 8 have been withdrawn.
Patsy McGlone: Excuse me, Mrs Kelly. When Members wish to have private conversations, they are not so private in here, because they can be audible up here. Thank you. Continue, Mrs Kelly.
Patsy McGlone: T1. Mr McGlone asked the Minister of Health for a progress report on the £700 million road map that was announced last June to address hospital waiting times, given that, at that time, figures showed that 184,000 people had been waiting for more than a year for a first hospital outpatient appointment, with a further 66,000 patients waiting for more than a year for surgery or hospital...
Patsy McGlone: I thank the Minister for his answer. Will he clarify whether last year's figures —184,000 and 66,000 — were reduced or dented by the measures from that £707 million-odd and, if so, by how much?
Patsy McGlone: The Minister is unwell today and is self-isolating. She informed the Speaker's Office of that and will participate remotely. I invite her to come on-screen. It is good to see you, Minister; I wish you well.
Patsy McGlone: The Business Committee has agreed that there should be no time limit on the debate.
