Image source, NI Assembly

Edwin Poots explains that he appeared at the Agriculture Committee in recent weeks to outline the need for the bill and for accelerated passage.

The agriculture minister says the bill addresses a “legislative anomaly” during three years when Stormont had collapsed, which “resulted in NI being the only part of the UK where service animals do not have specific welfare protection”.

The minister says he wants to see the bill pass before the end of the current mandate, as by not doing so, service animals will not have protection they would otherwise have in other parts of the UK.

It’s been a busy morning for the agriculture minister, but he’s not finished just yet.

Edwin Poots is back on his feet in the chamber to move the Animal Welfare (Service Animals) Bill.

He’s seeking accelerated passage for the piece of legislation.

Image source, NI Assembly

Alliance MLA John Blair asks the minister if there was discussion about tourism using waterways to drive income.

There wasn't specific discussion on this matter at the North-South Ministerial Council meeting, responds the infrastructure minister.

Nichola Mallon says there has, in recent years, been an increase in the number of people holidaying at home and often these locations are chosen.

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Cathal Boylan of Sinn Féin asks about the Ulster Canal Greenway.

Can the infrastructure minister assure the money will be available to finish the project?

Nichola Mallon responds that this issue was raised at the meeting.

Increased construction costs has led to a funding shortfall, but this is being reviewed, adds the minister.

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SDLP MLA Cara Hunter asks what impact Brexit is having on Waterways Ireland.

“EU directives no longer apply to the UK,” responds the minister.

She says in the short term the UK’s approach will not change much from the EU, but overtime this may be different.

“Waterways Ireland has been the beneficiary of EU funding,” says Ms Mallon, adding that it “may cease in the future”.

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Nichola Mallon explains that the NSMC meeting on inland waterways was held in Armagh and by video conference on 3 November.

She says the meeting noted progress made by Waterways Ireland on major projects in NI "such as the redevelopment of Bellanaleck quay slipway and Lower Bann lock replacement project".

Major projects in the south include the Barrow Blueway construction, Grand Canal Greenway construction and the Shannon Tourism Masterplan projects.

The next inland waterways meeting will be held in early 2022.

That concludes the agriculture ministers statement on the British-Irish Council Summit.

Up next, Nichola Mallon, the Infrastructure Minister appears in the chamber.

She’s also due to make a statement, this time on a North-South Ministerial Council (NSMC) meeting regarding Inland Waterways.

Patsy McGlone of the SDLP asks the minister what discussions were had around indigenous languages at the BIC meeting.

Edwin Poots says there was “extensive discussion” about this topic.

“It was something that did get a fair bit of detail during the meeting,” he adds.

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Rosemary Barton of the UUP asks the minister for an update on the climate change policy within with UK compared to that in the Republic of Ireland.

“Both have set a net-zero target,” says Mr Poots, adding that “we in NI are cooperating in achieving that target as part of the UK”.

He says the department has taken advice from the Climate Change Committee (CCC) on this.

Alliance MLA John Blair asks what discussions were had around COP26 agreement delivery.

“It wasn’t the key focus of this particular summit,” responds the agriculture minister.

Sinn Féin's Philip McGuigan is deputy chair of the Agriculture Committee.

He asks if there was any discussion at the BIC meeting about the delivery of "robust climate change legislation".

The agriculture minister says there was extensive discussion and he would recommend that the next British-Irish Council summit should centre on the issue.

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The minister's DUP colleague, William Irwin, asks what discussions were held about the NI protocol and the "unacceptable impact it is having on trade between GB and NI".

Edwin Poots says he raised the matter during the meeting and outside the meeting with Minister Gove and others.

He says it's important that the message is put out that" the protocol as it is currently exists is something that is damaging to NI".

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Edwin Poots says the meeting took place on Friday 19 November and enabled ministers to discuss a wide range of issues.

The agriculture minister explains topics including the economy, trade, ongoing relations with the EU and the impact of Covid-19.

“The next BIC summit will be hosted by the government of Guernesy,” he adds.

Image source, NI Assembly

Assembly Speaker Alex Maskey opens the session to the public.

He takes the members through some initial housekeeping before turning to the first item on the agenda.

It's a briefing from Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots on the latest British-Irish Council summit meeting.

Welcome to Tuesday's live coverage of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

There's a packed agenda for today's plenary session at Stormont with debates on everything from animal welfare to parental bereavement.

The session opens to the public at 10:30. Do stay with us.