Six bills passed on the final day of assembly business before the election in May
The preservation of documents relating to historical institutions bill reaches its final stage
The Fair Employment School Teachers Bill passed its final stage debate
Green Party MLA Rachel Woods domestic abuse safe leave bill passed its final stage
The period products free provision bill passed its final stage
Health Minister Robin Swann gave a final brief to MLAs on his department's scrutiny committee
Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots made statements on Future Agricultural Policy Decisions and eradicating TB in NI
Aisling Reilly opened the final stage debate on her Hospital Parking Charges Bill
MLAs debated the final stage of the Abortion Services Safe Access Zone Bill
Image source, Getty ImagesThat’s all from us today and for this assembly mandate.
We hope to see you again after the election in May for a new mandate.
Until then, remember you can stay up to date on all the latest election developments every Thursday evening on The View (BBC One Northern Ireland at 22:35) or via the BBC’s Red Lines podcast.
Thanks for your company over the last two years.
Image source, NI AssemblyRobin Swann, the Health Minister, is called to respond to the debate on the Preservation of Documents Bill.
He thanks his UUP colleague Alan Chambers for taking the initiative and bringing this piece of legislation to the House.
“I know no words can adequately convey the emotional psychological hurt and distress that you suffered,” he says to victims and survivors.
The North Antrim representative adds that he hopes the bill “will offer you and your families some reassurance for the future”.
Image source, NI AssemblyWinding-up the final stage debate, Alan Chambers says he feel “immensely privileged” to have sponsored this bill.
“It’s a good day today for this assembly, it’s a very good day for those seeking truth and it’s the least that we as a collective body can give them,” he adds.
Alex Maskey, the Speaker of the House, puts the bill to an oral vote.
It passed unanimously and will now be sent to receive royal assent.
For the last time, Speaker Maskey adjourns the final plenary session of the current mandate.
To the members seeking re-election in the coming elections he says:
"Go forth and multiply!"
Image source, NI AssemblyLinda Dillon says she's "very pleased and proud and privileged to be speaking on the very final item on the final day of this assembly mandate and particularly given the item that it is".
The Sinn Féin MLA says that members across the House worked together "to ensure that we got the best bill possible".
The DUP's Pam Cameron says the preservation of documents bill is "so important to so many individuals and their families who were so badly treated in the past".
"This is obviously a very important piece of legislation," says Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw, adding that it is only the beginning of the journey to deliver the recommendations in the truth recovery panel's report.
Image source, NI AssemblyAlan Chambers says this House has given the preservation of documents relating to historical institutions bill “the scrutiny that it deserves”.
The Ulster Unionist introduced the legislation to the assembly just over two weeks ago.
He explains that the bill came about following a series of recommendations made by the truth recovery panel which looked at various historical actions at institutions and agencies.
Mr Chambers says there has been collective will across the chamber to ensure the bill passes today.
"I hope this bill helps bring the truth closer to those seeking it."
Image source, NI AssemblySinead McLaughlin chairs the Executive Office Committee.
She outlines members' scrutiny of the bill.
“We cannot undo what has happened to people and their loved ones in the past, but we can do our very best to support those who are still with us in any way we can,” adds the Foyle MLA.
In her role as an SDLP representative, Ms McLaughlin says this bill will give “light and transparency”.
The result is in for the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Bill.
84 MLAs voted with 55 ayes and 27 noes.
The bill passes its final stage and proceeds to royal assent.
Next on the agenda is the final stage of the Preservation of Documents (Historical Institutions) Bill.
It's a private member's bill sponsored by Ulster Unionist Alan Chambers.
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Image source, NI AssemblyThe bill's sponsor, Clare Bailey, winds on the final stage debate of the abortion services safe access zone bill.
"The right to protest is not being stopped with this bill," she says.
"Current harassment laws are not sufficient to deal with what we're seeing," the South Belfast MLA adds.
Ms Bailey says that protests are held at Stormont's Parliament Buildings but they are limited to "probably 100 metres" away from the building and are "simply managed".
She asks MLAs who have opposed the bill to this point to reflect and "do the right thing".
Deputy Speaker Roy Beggs calls for an oral vote but there are shouts from all sides of the chamber so the House divides for a recorded vote.
Image source, NI AssemblySinead McLaughlin of the SDLP says the abortion services safe access zone bill is “long overdue”.
She says it “does not take away anything from anyone, it doesn’t remove anyone's civil rights”.
“It doesn’t take away freedom of freedom of speech, it does not take away the right to protest, it does not prevent anyone from praying, it does however protect the right of passage for anyone seeking the provision of healthcare and assures them a safe access zone.”
Image source, NI AssemblyAlliance MLA Paula Bradshaw says the bill “sends a message to those women and those accompanying them that we support them”.
The South Belfast representative thanks the secretary of state for “bringing forward a written statement to the House today” around abortion service provision in NI, but was disappointed there was no specific outline of timeline.
“It really should be no surprise to anyone that there would be protests against the widespread facilitation of abortion,” says TUV MLA Jim Allister.
“A woman’s womb should be the safest possible place for the unborn,” he adds.
“Under abortion it is the most dangerous place of the unborn.”
He says that if there is a time when there are no protests against abortion "society will have entirely abandoned any semblance of a moral compass" and as such he'll not be backing the passing of the legislation.
Image source, NI AssemblyColm Gildernew of Sinn Féin chairs the Health Committee.
He outlines members’ consideration of the Abortion Services Safe Access Zones Bill.
“Patients, staff and visitors should be able to access health premises free from harassment, abuse and intimidation,” he explains.
Image source, NI AssemblyDUP MLA Pam Cameron is the deputy chair of the Health Committee.
She says harassment and abuse in any form is not acceptable in society, but her party does have concerns about the legal implications of this specific bill.
“I sincerely believe this bill will not have the impact that its supporters believe it will have and it will most certainly result in protracted legal action,” she adds.
Image source, NI AssemblyThe next item on the agenda is the final stage of the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Bill.
It's a private member's bill brought by Green Party leader Clare Bailey.
She says "it's a great relief to finally be able to deliver the final stage" of the bill, adding that she's been working on it since 2016.
Ms Bailey reads from the rules issued by the Electoral Office regarding canvassing at polling stations:
"Canvassers shall be polite and courteous at all times when speaking to members of the public. They should be careful to avoid any behaviour which may leave them open to complaints of harassment or intimidation."
The South Belfast MLA says none of this is what she has experienced in relation to abortion services.
She says women and staff are "forced to run the gauntlet of public shaming by a deliberate concerted campaign of harassment and intimidation at some healthcare settings".
Image source, NI AssemblyChris Lyttle winds on the final stage debate of his Fair Employment School Teachers Bill.
He explains that it delivers across a range of areas in the education system.
The Alliance MLA dedicates the work MLAs have done on this legislation “to the teachers and indeed everyone who is working to deliver the best education system possible in NI”.
The bill is put to an oral vote and is passed.
Image source, NI AssemblySinéad McLaughlin chairs the Executive Office Committee.
She congratulates Chris Lyttle for sponsoring the private member's bill on fair employment for teachers.
The SDLP MLA says teachers will now be able to apply for jobs "without being asked about their religious backgrounds".
Pat Sheehan of Sinn Féin says the bill "exemplifies how when parties work together what they can achieve".
The DUP's Diane Dodds says she wants to "reassure" Chris Lyttle of her support for the bill.
She says she would have preferred to see more time for consideration of the legislation.
Ulster Unionist John Stewart says that two or three weeks ago the members may have thought they would not reach this stage by today.
The bill is "mercifully short but massively significant," he adds.
Kellie Armstrong, Chris Lyttle's Alliance colleague, says "when this place has a mind to get something done it can get it done very effectively".
Image source, NI AssemblyThe next item on today’s agenda is yet another final stage debate.
This time it’s Chris Lyttle’s private members’ bill on fair employment for school teachers.
The East Belfast representative for Alliance is not seeking re-election to the chamber in May, so this will be his last chance to speak in the chamber.
In opening the final stage debate, Mr Lyttle says the assembly and the executive “are often rightly criticised” for failing to deliver leadership on issues.
This bill is “one example of what we can achieve at the assembly” says Mr Lyttle, adding that religious background should not be considered when recruiting a teacher.
Image source, NI AssemblyHealth Minister Robin Swann responds to the debate on the hospital parking charges bill.
The Ulster Unionist thanks Aisling Reilly for sponsoring the legislation.
"What we are talking about here today will impact on the lives of staff, patients and visitors," he says.
The minister says the bill will present "significant challenge" and require additional funding.
For this reason he welcomes the amending of the bill to allow for a two-year implementation period.
Ms Reilly has the final word.
She thanks all the MLAs for their "unwavering support".
The bill passes on an oral vote.
Image source, NI AssemblyDUP MLA Deborah Erskine sits on the Health Committee.
She says she raised a number of concerns during earlier stages of the bill, but she’s hopeful those issues have been ironed out.
“I want to thank the bill’s sponsor for her engagement” on her hospital parking charges bill.
Ms Erskine also thanks those who provided evidence to the committee.
Image source, NI AssemblyAlliance MLA Paula Bradshaw says this bill is another “great example” of the assembly legislation and scrutiny process working well.
Ulster Unionist Alan Chambers explains that he “had a couple of concerns about the bill in the early days”, specifically the “period of six months from royal assent to implementing in full the legislation”.
He says the bill now “gives a more sensible and doable period” for trusts to examine the logistics they’ll need to deploy at sites.
Colm Gildernew is the chair of the Health Committee and is also a Sinn Féin MLA.
He explains that health workers relayed to MLAs that they were paying up to £11 per day to access safe parking.
In his role as an MLA, he says “this is a fantastic example of recognition for health care staff and frontline workers”.
Image source, NI AssemblyAisling Reilly says she is "delighted that I have been able to deliver a bill that will help everyone across our communities".
The Sinn Féin MLA thanks all those who have helped her bring the hospital parking charges bill to this stage.
She pays tribute to all health service staff for the role they have played during the Covid pandemic.
"You are the heroes who walk among us and you deserve fair pay, safe staffing and good working conditions," Ms Reilly adds.
She describes hospital car park charges as an "unfair tax".
Two bills down, four to go.
MLAs now turn their attention to the Hospital Parking Charges Bill.
It’s a private members’ bill which was first proposed to the House by former Sinn Féin MLA Fra McCann.
Aisling Reilly, his party colleague, took over ownership of the bill when she was co-opted to replace him upon his retirement last year.
Image source, NI AssemblyThe bill's sponsor, Green Party MLA Rachel Woods winds the final stage debate on the domestic abuse safe leave bill.
She thanks the economy minister, Gordon Lyons for his speech and says "domestic abuse is utterly abhorrent".
"We need to de-stigmatise abuse, tackle root causes, misogyny, toxic masculinity," the North Down representative adds.
"This is only the beginning. There is much work to do," Ms Woods says.
She calls on the MLAs to renew the assembly after the election in May, "because we have much work to do".
The bill passes its final stage and will become law following royal assent.
Image source, NI AssemblyMatthew O’Toole says the domestic abuse safe leave bill is a progressive piece of legislation which is also “ethical” and “timely”.
The SDLP MLA explains that domestic abuse rates have risen during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“It is no burden to give your worker safe leave,” says the South Belfast representative.
Image source, NI AssemblyEconomy Minister Gordon Lyons responds to the final stage debate and commends Rachel Woods for bringing forward the private members’ bill.
NI will be the first in the UK to bring forward legislation which provides this level of support to those experiencing domestic abuse.
“During the passage of this bill through the assembly we have reflected on the appalling statistics which all too sadly demonstrate just how prevalent domestic abuse is in our society.”
“Domestic abuse has a devastating impact on families, individuals and society as a whole.”
Image source, NI Assembly“Far too many people experience domestic abuse," says Caoimhe Archibald.
The Sinn Féin MLA chairs the Economy Committee which led scrutiny of the domestic abuse safe leave bill.
She explains that the legislation will enable those who need it to access up to ten days of paid leave.
“No one, only the perpetrator is responsible for abuse, they need to be held responsible for their actions,” she adds.
Image source, NI AssemblyThe DUP’s Peter Weir thanks those who “took the very courageous step” of sharing their experiences to assist in the development of the bill and to ensure what happened to them will not happen to others.
The Strangford representative adds that he wishes this bill, once it is granted royal ascent, doesn’t have to ever be used.
“Sadly however that is not the society we are living in,” he adds.
He says it’s “critical we move towards the maximum support for those who are suffering from domestic abuse”.