Image source, NI Assembly

Independent MLA Claire Sugden rises to support the principles of the bill.

She says she doesn't really know how members can disagree with "safe access zones around a healthcare clinic".

"Would members and others have an issue with it" if it did not specifically apply to abortion clinics, she asks.

"No-one is breaking the law accessing these services," she emphasises.

Ms Sugden says the bill "seeks to prevent harm" rather than to be reactive, after the harm has been done.

Image source, NI Assembly

The members return to their debate on the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Bill, which was suspended before lunchtime.

The SDLP's Matthew O'Toole picks up from where he was cut off in mid-flow at 13:00.

He says his party supports the bill.

The South Belfast MLA says it "clearly balances the right to both protest and the freedom of speech but also the right of women and girls to access reproductive healthcare in a way that is safe and where they are not harassed"

He says some of the claims made by members opposed to the bill have been "ridiculous".

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Colin McGrath of the SDLP asks if “this is not a monumental example of cutting off your nose to spite your face?”

Paul Givan says Mr McGrath fails to recognise “the critical importance of the East West relationship”.

The first minister adds that “there was no consent to the change that has been derived as a result of the NI Protocol”.

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UUP MLA John Stewart asks the first minister if he would support calls for the secretary of state to push forward with legislation at Westminster to protect institutions if it should fall and keep ministers in place.

“I always seek to find political resolution,” responds Paul Givan.

He adds that he is pleased the EU and UK has recognised that there are “significant problems with the protocol”.

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“The days of the DUP playing politics with the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement must end today,” says Sinn Féin's Pat Sheehan.

He says the High Court was “clear yesterday” that the actions of DUP ministers not attending North-South Ministerial Council meetings are unlawful.

Paul Givan responds that there is a need for a “political resolution” in terms of the operation of the protocol.

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Paul Frew, the first minister's DUP colleague, asks Mr Givan if he will “fight for NI, its businesses and its people?”.

Mr Givan replies that he is committed to ensuring New Decade New Approach is fulfilled and the UK’s commitment to ensuring NI is part of the UK internal market “is upheld”.

“They made the pledge, they need to deliver on the pledge,” he adds.

First Minister Paul Givan gives a brief response.

He says the judgement has been received by the Executive Office this morning and is "currently being considered".

A high court judge ruled yesterday that a DUP boycott of the North South Ministerial Council is unlawful.

Stewart Dickson asks what action Mr Givan proposes to take "to ensure that he and the deputy first minister, and indeed all ministers, will adhere to the ruling of the court yesterday".

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He also asks for assurance "that the 1bn euro of peace funding that has been pledged by the EU and others will not be placed in jeopardy by any further political antics".

Mr Givan says he has been very clear that "the way to resolve this is through a political resolution".

He says he looks forward to what the EU will publish tomorrow and the engagement with the UK government.

Mr Givan adds that it is the result of the protocol "that has created the tensions that now exist".

In a slight change to proceedings, the Speaker, Alex Maskey, makes MLAs aware that Alliance party member Stewart Dickson has lodged an urgent oral question.

The clerk reads it to the chamber:

To ask the first minister and deputy first minister whether the North-South Ministerial Council (NSMC) meetings will resume immediate;y following the declaration by the High Court.

Here are five key points raised during Question Time with the economy minister:

• "Protecting jobs is my immediate priority" says the economy minister
• Gordon Lyons says any action to regulate zero-hours contracts has been slowed by the pandemic
• The minister says HGV driver shortages also exist on Poland, Germany and the Republic of Ireland and queries why some MLAs attribute the shortage to Brexit

• 18 of the 58 pandemic recovery actions signed off by the Economy Department have yet to be fulfilled
• The minister says there has been "a coding issue" with some of the Spend Local cards being used at multi-national outlets

That concludes Listed Questions. It’s now time for 15 minutes of Topical Questions.

This is an opportunity for MLAs to raise matters which have not yet been covered during the question session.

Ciara Ferguson of Sinn Féin asks the minister for his assessment of increasing costs of energy.

Gordon Lyons responds that it not only affects consumers but also businesses.

“I share the sentiments across this House about the impact it will have on businesses and families,” he adds.

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Sinead McLaughlin of the SDLP asks the economy minister how many jobs he has announced in her Foyle constituency this year.

After a bit of a verbal tussle, the minister outlines to the member that there has been “considerable” investment in her constituency, “second only to Belfast in terms of her council area”.

“It’s not the DUP or any DUP minister that decides where jobs go, investors do that,” adds the minister.

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What’s happening with the Holiday at Home Voucher Scheme?

That’s the question from DUP MLA Pam Cameron.

Gordon Lyons says the executive signed off on 58 pandemic recovery actions for his department and that 18 of those are outstanding.

The proposal for a Holiday at Home Voucher scheme was to provide stimulus to the local tourist industry, he says.

He explains that the High Street Voucher Scheme, is “another key component” of the overall recovery plan and has had an “unprecedented” number of applications.

Image source, NI Assembly

Mervyn Storey, also of the DUP, asks the minister “what flexibility there is within the scheme to ensure the department can make responses in a way which is meaningful to the economy”.

Mr Lyons says the economic recovery action plan was worked on with stakeholders.

“The furlough scheme was hugely important to keep people in employment,” he adds.

Sinn Féin’s Nicola Brogan raises some concerns around the Holiday at Home Voucher Scheme.

She references the delivery of a “first come first serve basis” and potential discrimination against families on low income.

“It’s the case this is not something we will be able to give or offer to everybody in NI as have with the spend local card,” responds Mr Lyons.

When does the scheme go live, asks Mike Nesbitt of the UUP.

“We’re still working with industry to work out when it can come in and bring the maximum benefit to it,” says the minister.

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Cara Hunter of the SDLP asks the economy minister “to outline the preparations his department made to address the shortage of HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) drivers as a result of Brexit”.

Gordon Lyons says across the globe there are shortages of drivers.

“I would like to ask the member why she is attributing this shortage to Brexit when it is happening in countries right across Europe and indeed the world,” he adds.

Ms Hunter says the issue has been raised directly with her by those in the sector.

After listing shortages in drivers in other countries, Mr Lyons says “it’s the additional paperwork and the additional hassle caused by the protocol”.

He adds that to address the issue would mean addressing the protocol.

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Philip McGuigan of Sinn Féin asks the economy minister if he agrees that the British government “has no plans to fix this crisis, which isn’t in relation to HGV drivers but a number of agri-food industries here in the north”.

“It is a culmination of issues which is causing the issue to the labour market,” responds Mr Lyons.

“What assessment has been made of the additional costs to business to NI in moving goods from GB?” asks UUP MLA Roy Beggs.

Mr Lyons says any additional paperwork would add time and there costs to business.

The economy minister adds that some businesses have told him about “mountains of paperwork” which they are now required to fill out.

Image source, NI Assembly

Gordon Lyons is at the lectern, ready to answer MLAs’ questions.

The first of the day comes from Green Party MLA Rachel Woods.

She wants an update on the Economy Department’s “work to implement executive commitments in New Decade, New Approach (NDNA) that relate to employment rights”.

Mr Lyons says “protecting jobs is my immediate priority” as the economy reopens from Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns and restrictions.

Due to Covid-19, the minister says it hasn’t been possible for the department to progress all employment right commitments in NDNA.

Image source, NI Assembly

Jemma Dolan of Sinn Féin says there are around 11,000 people on zero-hour contracts in NI.

Will he commit to support her private members bill on this matter when it comes to the assembly floor?

“Because of the time that was taken up to deal with the pandemic it made it difficult for us to address this but it will be the top of the agenda in the next mandate,” responds Mr Lyons.

Paula Bradshaw of the DUP asks when the “working from home” advice will be lifted.

“It’s important the guidance reflects where businesses are,” says the minister, adding he doesn’t think it’s the case the 100% of business have had to send 100% of staff home.

“I think it can be particularly difficult for those starting a new job for the first time,” adds Mr Lyons.

Image source, PA Media

MLAs are back in the chamber after lunch in time for Question Time.

It takes place during plenary sessions every Monday and Tuesday between 14:00-15:30 and is an opportunity for members to question ministers about the work of their departments.

Today the spotlight will solely be on Economy Minister Gordon Lyons.

Thirty minutes will be spent on Listed Questions with a further 15 allocated to Topical Questions.

MLAs will return to their earlier debate on the Abortion Service Safe Access Zones Bill once Question Time has ended.

The deputy speaker intervenes in the debate on the abortion services safe zone bill.

It's time for the Assembly's Business Committee to meet and decide on next week's agenda.

In the meantime members are advised to take a short break for lunch.

They'll be back in the chamber at 14:00 for Question Time with the economy minister.

Until then, we're off to grab a sandwich and a cuppa.

Catch you soon!

Image source, NI Assembly

Gerry Carroll of People Before Profit says he supports the bill.

He says he wants to express "solidarity with those women who have been intimidated while trying to access reproductive healthcare".

Mr Carroll says "there have been claims from anti-choice organisations that this bill is oppressive and attacks their right to assembly".

He says this is hypocritical coming from organisations "who have members convicted of harassment outside some of these clinics".

Image source, NI Assembly

Jim Allister of the TUV refutes “the suggestion that to oppose this bill is to endorse harassment, abuse or violence”.

“It is none of those things,” adds the North Antrim MLA.

“This House is being invited to legislate on something that may, it doesn’t have to, but may influence another" to be criminalised, he says.

Mr Allister provides a theoretical scenario whereby a “distressed mother” attempts to persuade her 14-year-old daughter not to have an abortion.

He says under this bill the mother would “criminalised as she has the intent to want to influence her(daughter) not to do it”.

“How can that be right?” he questions.

Image source, NI Assembly

Green Party MLA Rachel Woods rises to support the bill being brought by her party colleague, Clare Bailey.

She says that on one occasion when she was approaching a clinic to meet staff members "I was grabbed by a woman with a plastic doll who confronted me, touching and pushing my arm, asking did I know what my baby looked like".

"The last thing anyone needs when entering their workplace is to be called a murderer," the member for North Down says.

John Campbell and Richard Morgan
BBC News NI Economics & Business Editor and Business Reporter

Image source, Reuters

Northern Ireland's jobs market continued to recover in September, official figures suggests.

The number of people on company payrolls, which is the most timely data, rose by 0.3% over the month to 765,600.

September was the last month of furlough but there was no sign of a big wave of planned redundancies.

Notified redundancies in the month were just 130, compared to 80 in the month before.

Statistics agency Nisra said the figures "continue to show improvements over the short term with increases in the employment rate and payrolled employees over the quarter, and decreases in the claimant count and the number of furloughed employees".

Read more here.

Shane Harrison
BBC NI Dublin correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

Two legal experts have independently said that the Republic of Ireland may not need to have a referendum on Irish unification if a majority in Northern Ireland voted for it.

Most media commentary on the subject assumes there has to be such a poll.

Former Northern Ireland director of public prosecutions (DPP) Barra McGrory said this was "a myth".

One of Ireland's leading academic lawyers, Dr David Kenny, agrees with this assessment.

"There only has to be one in the north," said Mr McGrory, who is a queen's counsel in the UK and will soon become a senior counsel in Ireland.

Read more here.

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Emma Sheerin of Sinn Féin asks “what is it about other people’s pregnancies that offers such fascination to so many?

“What is that compels people to stand outside a health clinic and intimidate women whose stories they’ll never know?”

She says her party is a party of protest, but she says “to justify the actions” of those outside health clinics as protest “is a huge disservice”.

“These so-called protesters have no regard for people’s personal circumstances,” says Ms Sheerin.

“You cannot care to claim for the unborn whilst at the same time harassing expectant mothers.”

Image source, NI Assembly

Paula Bradshaw of Alliance says she supports the principles of the bill.

She says that exclusion zones exist "in large parts of Australia and Canada and in some parts of the United States".

"For me the fact that NI would be the first legislation in the UK to legislate in this way speaks in favour of the bill," the South Belfast MLA says.

Being at the vanguard of "safety, wellbeing, privacy and dignity is exactly what this assembly should be about," she adds.