Minutes of Proceedings

The Assembly met at 10.30am, the Speaker in the Chair.

1. Prayers

Members observed two minutes’ silence.

2. Matter of the Day

2.1 High Court Judgment on Illegal Migration Act

Mr Jim Allister, under Standing Order 24, made a statement on the High Court Judgment on the Illegal Migration Act. Other Members were also called to speak on the matter.

3. Members’ Statements

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

Mr Pat Sheehan
Mr Tom Buchanan
Mr Doug Beattie
Ms Paula Bradshaw
Mr Justin McNulty
Mrs Sinéad Ennis
Mrs Deborah Erskine
Mr Nick Mathison
Mr Colin McGrath
Mr Daniel McCrossan
Mr Gerry Carroll

4. Ministerial Statements

4.1 Statement: Inter-Governmental Agreement on Co-operation on Criminal Justice Matters

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Blair, took the Chair.

The Minister of Justice, Mrs Naomi Long, made a statement regarding Inter-Governmental Agreement on Co-operation on Criminal Justice Matters, following which she replied to questions.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

4.2 Statement: Farm Support and Development Programme

The Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Mr Andrew Muir, made a statement regarding the Farm Support and Development Programme, following which he replied to questions.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Blair, took the Chair.

4.3 Statement: Intermediate Rent and Housing Initiatives using Financial Transactions Capital

The Minister for Communities, Mr Gordon Lyons, made a statement regarding Intermediate Rent and Housing Initiatives using Financial Transactions Capital, following which he replied to questions.

The sitting was suspended at 1.00pm.

The sitting resumed at 2.00pm, the Principal Deputy Speaker in the chair.

5. Question Time

5.1 Infrastructure

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister for Infrastructure, Mr John OʹDowd.

The Speaker took the chair.

6. Executive Committee Business

6.1 Motion: The Coronavirus Act 2020 (Extension of Provisions Relating to Live Links for Courts and Tribunals) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024

Proposed:

That the Coronavirus Act 2020 (Extension of Provisions Relating to Live Links for Courts and Tribunals) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024 be approved.

Minister of Justice

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

6.2 Motion: The Rates (Temporary Rebate) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024

Proposed:

That the Rates (Temporary Rebate) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024 be affirmed.

Minister of Finance

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

6.3 Motion: The Rates (Exemption for Automatic Telling Machines in Rural Areas) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024

Proposed:

That the Rates (Exemption for Automatic Telling Machines in Rural Areas) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024 be affirmed.

Minister of Finance

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

7. Private Members’ Business

7.1 Motion: Extreme Pressures in Primary Care

Proposed:

That this Assembly values the enormous contribution of those working in primary care across Northern Ireland; notes that this includes GPs, nurses, health visitors, physiotherapists, social workers and mental health practitioners; recognises that primary care is generally the first point of contact within the health service for those who become unwell; further notes the recent Northern Ireland Audit Office report on Access to General Practice, which found that almost one in three local practices have sought crisis support in the last four years; regrets the absence of a specific workforce strategy for general practice; believes the failure to train, recruit, retain and reward staff has limited progress toward the rollout of multi-disciplinary teams in local primary care settings; calls on the Minister of Health to provide an indemnity scheme for GPs in Northern Ireland in line with arrangements in other parts of the United Kingdom; and further calls on the Minister to increase the number of GP training places and invest in an enhanced fellowship programme for newly qualified GPs as part of an ambitious, costed and time-bound plan to grow the primary care workforce.

Mrs Diane Dodds
Mr Alan Robinson

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Blair, took the Chair.

Amendment:

Proposed:

Leave out all after ‘primary care settings;’ and insert:

‘calls on the Minister of Health to publish a timescale for the full implementation of multi-disciplinary teams across the North; and further calls on the Minister of Health to provide an indemnity scheme for GPs in Northern Ireland in line with arrangements in other parts of the United Kingdom; and calls on the Minister to increase the number of GP training places and invest in an enhanced fellowship programme for newly qualified GPs as part of an ambitious, costed and time-bound plan to grow the primary care workforce.’

Mr Colin McGrath

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the amendment was made.

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

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

7.2 Motion: Reduce insurance costs for workers, families and businesses

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes the unprecedented increases in insurance premiums for home, business, and car insurance, which are crippling workers, families, and small businesses, many of whom are already struggling with the cost-of-living crisis; acknowledges that many motorists have seen their quotes increase significantly even if they haven’t had an accident, speeding fine or a change in circumstances; further acknowledges that the increase in insurance premiums has generated huge profits for the insurance industry and a windfall in Insurance Premium Tax collected by the British Government; recognises that the Financial Conduct Authority, the Prudential Regulation Authority, and the Competition and Markets Authority have a duty to monitor and regulate the insurance industry, investigate any allegations of unfair practices, and to ensure consumers receive a fair price; calls on these bodies to fulfil their statutory duties to hold the insurance industry to account and investigate the recent increases in insurance premiums; and further calls on the British Government to reduce the rate of Insurance Premium Tax which puts an additional financial burden on workers, families, and small businesses.

Miss Nicola Brogan
Miss Deirdre Hargey
Mr Cathal Boylan

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

Mrs Cathy Mason spoke to her topic regarding Special Educational Needs Provision in South Down.

The Assembly adjourned at 6.47pm.

Mr Edwin Poots
The Speaker
14 May 2024

 
Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 14 May 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

Report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules to the Assembly and the Appropriate Committee Fourteenth Report of Session 2023 – 2024 (Northern Ireland Assembly)

7. Written Ministerial Statements

8. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

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 14 May 2024
2022-2027 Mandate
Executive Bills