Summary

  • MLAs debated alleged ministerial breaches of Covid-19 Regulations

  • Disability support and family carer support was debated in the chamber

  • The Executive Office and Health Minister Robin Swann answered MLAs' questions

  • MLAs debated a motion on Covid-19 guidance and financial support to industry sectors

  • The Pension Schemes Bill reached its second stage

  1. 'Rainbow of heroes who have protected most vulnerable'published at 17:04 British Summer Time 7 July 2020

    Alliance’s Kellie Armstrong opens the debate on the motion and thanks those who signed it.

    She says this has been a cross party effort and that members have “come together to recognise the significant impact Covid-19 has had on children and adults with a disability and the exceptional, amazing contribution of family carers throughout lockdown”.

    Mrs Armstrong says it has been created in conjunction with Families Involved in NI (FINI).

    They represent a regional network of families and carers.

    She says carers are part of the “rainbow of heroes who have protected and looked after some of our most vulnerable family members”.

    Kellie ArmstrongImage source, NI Assembly

    “One of the key issues with lockdown was the almost immediate withdrawal of statutory and non-statutory services,” says the Strangford MLA, adding that many families with disabilities rely upon these services.

    Mrs Armstrong says she has personal experience of this as, she says, her “amazing brother needs such care”, adding that her father looks after him on a full-time basis.

  2. Disability Services and Family Carerspublished at 16:44 British Summer Time 7 July 2020

    Next up there's a cross-party motion on Disability Services and Family Carer Support:

    "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 of many statutory and non-statutory services; and calls on the Minister of Health to produce a detailed plan for the resumption of services."

    It has been signed by members of seven parties.

  3. Amendment falls, motion passespublished at 16:39 British Summer Time 7 July 2020

    The clerk reads the result of the vote on the amendment.

    She says 83 MLAs voted, of which 30 voted aye and 53 voted no.

    The SDLP amendment falls.

    Christopher Stalford the Principal Deputy Speaker, then moves the house to an oral vote on the motion.

    It passes.

  4. House dividespublished at 16:33 British Summer Time 7 July 2020

    Christopher StalfordImage source, NI Assembly

    Principal Deputy Speaker Christopher Stalford moves the assembly to vote on the SDLP amendment.

    The oral vote is not clear cut and so the house divides.

  5. 'Every industry will need support and guidance'published at 16:33 British Summer Time 7 July 2020

    David Hilditch, the deputy chairperson of the Infrastructure Committee and DUP MLA, winds the debate on the motion.

    He says this issue has “had a massive impact” on individuals and businesses during Covid-19.

    The MLA refers to points made by previous speakers and adds that “the haulage industry is suffering totally".

    David HilditchImage source, NI Assembly

    “Members, it is time for government to show leadership at this time when actions of certain ministers and members have undermined the authority of the executive,” says Mr Hilditch.

    “We must lead and recognise that each and every industry will need support and guidance.”

    “We must do everything in our power” to support industries says the DUP MLA.

  6. 'The amendment moves this debate closer to a resolution'published at 16:30 British Summer Time 7 July 2020

    Sinéad BradleyImage source, NI Assembly

    The SDLP’s Sinéad Bradley winds for her party's amendment proposed by her party.

    She says a number of members referred to the fact that a "body of work needs to be done” to close the gap experienced by some firms regarding the financial support schemes provided by the executive.

    Ms Bradley adds that this work will require a cross-cutting effort from the executive, and does not just lie with the Economy Minister, Diane Dodds.

    She says Sinn Féin “tied themselves in knots” during the debate.

    “The amendment moves this debate closer to a resolution”, says Ms Bradley.

  7. 'There has been much confusion'published at 16:26 British Summer Time 7 July 2020

    Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon replies to the debate.

    She says that "while there has been much confusion" it gives her opportunity to set forth the facts.

    The minister outlines a number of regulatory measures she says she has put in position to support the taxi industry during the crisis.

    This includes enabling video-based training and the prioritisation of medical forms for key workers.

    Ms Mallon also lists regulatory steps she says she has taken to support the freight sector.

    The minister outlines, at some length, the communication between the department and the driving instruction industry regarding the resumption of driving tests and other services.

    Nichola MallonImage source, NI Assembly

    On the question of financial support, the minister says that, like other members, she remains concerned for those working in these industries who fall outside the existing support schemes.

    "More than any other minister, I have been raising the issue of Covid-19 on these sectors with executive colleagues," she adds.

    Ms Mallon says her "statutory functions do not include the power to create grant support for hardship or loss of income for these sectors".

    She says she sought legal advice on this.

    The minister says she contacted the ministers of finance and economy, and the executive regarding support for the sector and that a costed proposal has been brought to the executive by the minister for the economy.

    She says she has continuously reached out to ensure "all those who have fallen through the cracks can get the support that they deserve".

  8. 'Two parties are perched up like two humming birds'published at 16:00 British Summer Time 7 July 2020

    Daniel McCrossanImage source, NI Assembly

    SDLP MLA Daniel McCrossan is up next.

    He says he agrees with the substance of the motion, and outlines that there are gaps for those in the transport industry.

    However, he says “it is clearly a cross-cutting issue that needs to be dealt with by the executive”.

    Mr McCrossan adds “it is not the responsibility of Minister Mallon to address this issue”.

    “I am not sure as to why two parties in particular, Mr Principal Deputy Speaker, are perched up like two humming birds today singing from the same hymn sheet,” he adds.

  9. Taxi industry 'is on its knees'published at 15:56 British Summer Time 7 July 2020

    Martina AndersonImage source, NI Assembly

    After a quick change of personnel at the top table, with Christopher Stalford replacing Roy Beggs, the assembly returns to a debate it started before lunch: Concerns over Covid-19 Guidance and Financial Support to Industry Sectors.

    First called to contribute to the discussion is Sinn Féin’s Martina Anderson.

    She says she supports the motion but will not support the amendment proposed by the SDLP.

    Ms Anderson says the taxi industry “is on its knees” as a result of the pandemic.

    She says they have “fallen through the gaps” of almost every scheme which has been offered to combat Covid-19.

    “Nichola says it’s Diane’s responsibility, Diane says it’s Nichola’s responsibility” says Ms Anderson and describes it as “firefighters arguing about who should operate the hose” while the fire is still burning.

  10. 'Other languages were used that weren’t English'published at 15:53 British Summer Time 7 July 2020

    DUP MLA Gary Middleton wants an update “on the implementation of the Western Trust Reset Plan”.

    Mr Swann says along with other trusts, the Western Trust will shortly publish its rebuild plan.

    Does the minister have advice for people coming to emergency department’s and when will GP practices open again, asks Mr Middleton.

    Mr Swann says advice was given that if people could come to emergency services alone, then they should.

    On a wider point, the minister says “we do need to look seriously about how we manage, how people approach our emergency departments”.

    Gary MiddletonImage source, NI Assembly

    That concludes question time, but before moving to the next item of business, Keith Buchanan of the DUP rises to make a point of order.

    He says in the previous debate there were “other languages were used that weren’t English”.

    He adds that “it leaves some ministers and some members not understanding what the answers actually are”.

    He asks the deputy speaker to ensure that “answers are given in a language that the majority of people can actually understand”.

    Deputy Speaker Roy Beggs says it is a “valid point” adding that the point has been placed on the record.

    “Members should provide a translation to ensure everybody understands what is being said,” he adds.

  11. Mobile vans to support mental wellbeingpublished at 15:52 British Summer Time 7 July 2020

    Cara Hunter of the SDLP asks the minister “what consideration he has given to a pilot scheme employing mobile vans to support mental well-being in isolated rural communities”.

    Robin Swann says “there are no current plans to implement mobile vans in rural communities to support well-being”.

    He says there has been support provided online and refers to a number of organisations that have been helping those in rural communities.

    Cara HunterImage source, NI Assembly

    Sinead McLaughlin of the SDLP asks the minster “given its lack of trade union or allied health professional representation, how he will ensure the new management board engages with frontline workers in the rebuilding of health and social care services”.

    Mr Swann replies “the interests of all health and social care colleagues are represented through the current membership of the management board”.

  12. Red flag cancer referralspublished at 15:51 British Summer Time 7 July 2020

    The DUP's Gordon Dunne wants an assurance from the minister that red flag cancer referrals will be stored across all of the trusts including the City Hospital in Belfast.

    Mr Swann says the plan is that Belfast City Hospital outpatients will open "in a phased approach from the week beginning 14 July".

    He says red flag and urgent cases are being prioritised.

    View across the assembly chamberImage source, NI Assembly

    Sinn Féin's Sinéad Ennis asks the minister if he is aware that over the past weekend the whole of the south Down and Newry and south Armagh was without ambulance cover.

    Mr Swann says her party colleague raised it in the media and the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) has issued a statement.

    He says the NIAS said the normal cover was for two crews but it had increased this cover by 50% with three crews on duty.

    "At the time of the call that was highlighted in the media, all three crews were engaged on other emergency calls and the nearest available emergency ambulance crew was dispatched to the call," the minister quotes.

    He says the minister has apologised but has pointed out that social media claims of a 60 minute delay were incorrect as it was 28 minutes.

  13. 'Start the process of reconstructing the RQIA’s board'published at 15:51 British Summer Time 7 July 2020

    Catherine Kelly of Sinn Féin is up next.

    She asks the minister “how he plans to fill the vacancies on the Board of the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA), including a timeframe for new appointments”.

    The minister says the interim appointment of Christine Collins as the RQIA board chair, is “intended to start the process of reconstructing the RQIA’s board”.

    He says he recognises the need for permanent appointments to be made to the board as soon as possible.

    Mr Swann says he hopes future appointments will help to further “strengthen the voice of people".

    He says it may take the department nine months to administer public appointments competition in line with provisions set out in the code of practice.

    As a result, he says, until permanent appointments can be made, he will appoint a number of interim non-executive members.

    Catherine KellyImage source, NI Assembly

    Declan McAleer of Sinn Féin asks the minister “for an update on the Management Board for Rebuilding Health and Social Care Services' most recent interaction with the Transformation Advisory Board and health trade unions regarding the Rebuilding Health and Social Care Services Strategic Framework”.

    Robin Swann says the rebuilding approach has been informed by trade unions.

    He says officials sought views from a range of stake holders.

    “I’m currently giving consideration to these views” which will inform his approach to consultation going forward, he adds.

  14. Contact tracing 'part of an overall strategy'published at 15:24 British Summer Time 7 July 2020

    The minister’s UUP party colleague Andy Allen asks “for an update on the contact tracing programme”.

    Robin Swann says “contact tracing is central tenet to the test, trace and protect strategy” that was launched in May.

    He says it works by testing those potentially infected by the disease, speaking to their close contacts and providing guidance on isolation and what to do if they have symptoms.

    “It needs to work as part of an overall strategy” to combat Covid-19 says the minister.

    Mr Allen wants to know if “he’s confident the contact tracing” would have resources to cope if there was an outbreak as a result of a mass gathering.

    Mr Swann says there are 92 contact tracers who “work over a seven day week rotation”.

    “The more contacts, the more positive cases we have, the more pressure they come under,” he adds.

    The minister says they can “trace five contacts in a day” on average and says that “any mass gathering that breaches the guidance” may have the “potential for mass outbreaks, and does put that contact tracing system under pressure”.

    Andy AllenImage source, NI Assembly

    What plans has the minister put in place in the instance that a second wave of Covid-19 occurs, asks the DUP’s Keith Buchanan.

    The minister says the timing and scale of such an instance is “unpredictable” it is “expected there will be a second wave of Covid-19 later in the year”.

    “There has been much learning drawn from the first wave and work by my department has made it possible to track and monitor the trajectory” of the virus, says Mr Swann.

    Surge plans are being looked at, he adds.

  15. Covid-19 centrespublished at 15:24 British Summer Time 7 July 2020

    The DUP's Harry Harvey asks whether eligibility for the forthcoming influenza immunisation programme will be impacted by Covid-19 restrictions.

    Mr Swann says the flu vaccine programme will not be impacted by Covid-19.

    He says he's extending eligibility to all children in Year 8 at secondary school.

    Mr Harvey asks if sufficient vaccinations are available.

    The minister assures Mr Harvey that he has approved the purchase of more vaccinations for children and is considering ordering more for the over-65s, as he anticipates greater take up.

    Jim AllisterImage source, NI Assembly

    The DUP's Jim Allister (above) asks what steps have been taken to review the need for, and operation of, Covid centres.

    The minister says the establishment of the centres was "an urgent and immediate response to the challenges" of Covid-19.

    He says the staffing of the centres is currently at 50% of what it was at the height of the surge.

    Mr Allister says the centres are currently underused with doctors being paid £100 for out-of-hours work.

    He asks if the centres are being kept open for "purely political purposes".

    Mr Swann says there's "absolutely no truth" in that.

  16. 'I think we would do things very different'published at 15:20 British Summer Time 7 July 2020

    First up is Sinn Féin’s Martina Anderson. She asks the minister “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”.

    Robin Swann (below) says the department is taking forward the test, trace and protect strategy which was published in May.

    He says it contains four key elements, which he outlines and adds that the process has been a priority for him over the last number of months.

    Ms Anderson wants to know if he believes that “care homes were abandoned” and that the most vulnerable were “left exposed” to the virus.

    Mr Swann says there was a “proactive approach” to care homes adding “are there things we could do differently now in hindsight?”.

    He says “because of what we know now” then “I think we would do things very different”.

    Robin SwannImage source, NI Assembly

    “When restrictions will be eased to allow partners to attend antenatal scans,” asks the DUP’s David Hilditch.

    The minister says there was new advice issued in relation to this on 6 July 2020.

    He says birth partners will be able to accompany pregnant women and go to hospital.

    Mr Swann adds that all guidance is available online.

  17. 'Beginning to look beyond the response phase'published at 14:56 British Summer Time 7 July 2020

    Michelle O'NeillImage source, NI Assembly

    Pat Sheehan of Sinn Féin is up next. He wants “an update on the executive’s plans for economic recovery following the Covid-19 crisis”.

    Mrs O’Neill replies “We are beginning to look beyond the response phase” of the pandemic.

    “We will continue to develop strong cross sectoral working partnerships,” she adds.

    That concludes question time for the Executive Office. Up next it's question time for the Minister for Health Robin Swann.

  18. 'It has been possible to ease restrictions'published at 14:56 British Summer Time 7 July 2020

    NI AssemblyImage source, NI Assembly

    Gerry Kelly, the deputy first minister’s Sinn Féin party colleague asks for an update “on the executive's response to Covid-19”.

    Mrs O’Neill says it has been the “number one priority”.

    “Our objective has been to keep people safe” and to support those who have faced hardship as a result of the pandemic, she says.

    “Over recent weeks it has been possible to ease restrictions,” she adds.

    Thomas Buchanan of the DUP references Mrs O’Neill's attendance at the funeral of Bobby Storey last week and asks if it is “time to do the honourable thing” and “step aside until a full investigation is carried out”.

    She replies, “I take my responsibilities very seriously, and I will continue to lead into the recovery stage of the pandemic”.

  19. 'I breathe equality every day'published at 14:54 British Summer Time 7 July 2020

    Can the deputy and first ministers outline “their plans to review the Racial Equality Strategy 2015 - 2025”, asks Justin McNulty of the SDLP.

    Ms O’Neill says the key actions in the strategy are being implemented in line with other bodies.

    “We have no plans for a formal review at present,” she adds.

    Mike Nesbitt of the UUP rises to ask a supplementary question. He wants an update on what has happened to a scheme the executive adopted in relation to Syrian refugees before devolution collapsed.

    Ms O’Neill says the 25th group of refugees arrived on 6 February 2020 this year, bringing the total in NI to 1,815.

    She says more were due to arrive but that this had to be delayed due to the Covid pandemic.

    Michelle O'NeillImage source, NI Assembly

    Jim Allister of the TUV rises to ask how the minister can talk about equality when “she and her friends think they are more equal than others and that they have the capacity and right to break the very laws that they themselves make”.

    He is referring to the minister’s attendance at the funeral of veteran republican Bobby Storey last week.

    Ms O’Neill says “I breathe equality every day”.

    “I bring it into every aspect of my work every day,” she adds.

  20. 'Driving a coach and horses through the regulations'published at 14:52 British Summer Time 7 July 2020

    Sinn Féin's Caoimhe Archibald asks or an update on departmental funding to promote good relations and support the needs of minority ethnic communities.

    Declan Kearney lists a number of funding sources used to address the emerging needs of ethnic minority communities.

    He says the department extended the funding of the MEDF (Minority Ethnic Development Fund) to current recipients from 1 April for a further 12 months to give stability to the sector in the face of the Covid-19 crisis.

    David HilditchImage source, NI Assembly

    The DUP's David Hilditch (above) asks the ministers to outline the proposed guidance tattoo parlours must follow when reopening.

    Mrs O'Neill says a range of guidance is available, including from the British government and trade bodies.

    Mr Hilditch says the deputy first minister and her colleagues have driven a coach and horses through the regulations and he calls on her to apologise and stand aside or resign until a full inquiry is conducted.

    The minister says her position is very clear on this.

    "I will continue to lead us through this," she says.