Vice President of the European Commission Maroš Šefčovič briefed the Executive Office Committee
He said he's "confident" a solution can be found in the next 48 hours over a possible ban on chilled meat products from GB being sold in NI
In the assembly chamber, the first and deputy first ministers and minister for the economy appeared for Question Time
Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey brought the consideration stage of the Local Government Bill
Health Minister Robin Swann opened the debate on the Coronavirus regulations
At this point we're going to leave to leave the assembly.
It's been an interesting day with European Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič appearing at the Executive Office Committee.
We'll be back at 10:30 tomorrow with another live plenary session from the assembly chamber.
Do join us then. And in the meantime, enjoy the sunshine.
Robin Swann is then called to wind on what has been a speedy debate.
The health minister says “it was a welcome occasion” when around 400 people came froward to the newly launched walk-in vaccination site at the SSE arena.
As of noon today, 142,712 people within the 18-29 age group have received their first dose of vaccine, which the minister says is around 50% of the cohort.
The deputy speaker of the House, Roy Beggs, puts the amendment to MLAs an it passes on an oral vote.
Paula Bradshaw of Alliance welcomes the easement in regulations that allows buffets and carveries to operate on a similar basis to other parts of the hospitality sector.
She notes that live music is not allowed at weddings even outdoors "whereas it can take place at street demonstrations".
Image source, NI AssemblyGerry Carroll of People Before Profit asks the minister if he can "shed any light" on a decision reportedly taken by the executive "to go against the medical evidence presented around the need to self-isolate for people travelling in the CTA".
“So many sacrifices have been made right across society,” says Cara Hunter.
The SDLP MLA says “it would be very regrettable if things took a turn for the worse”.
“The result of the vaccination programme has resulted in less and less people getting sick as a result of contracting the virus.”
Image source, NI AssemblyAlan Chambers, the health minister’s UUP colleague, urges “those who have any doubts or reluctance” to get the vaccination to seriously consider it.
“It is going to help us get back to normality,” he adds.
Health Committee chair Colm Gildernew says he wants to welcome "that we now have over 2m doses of the vaccine delivered in the north".
He says the vaccination campaign "has been a great success".
Mr Gildernew outlines the committee's consideration of the easing of restrictions.
Speaking as Sinn Féin's health spokesperson, he says that people must "bear in mind the situation that we still face".
"We are not out of the woods," he says.
Image source, NI AssemblyThe DUP's Gordon Lyons is the newly-appointed deputy of the Health Committee.
He welcomes the easements the MLAs are seeing today.
"They do make a difference, they are welcome," he says.
Mr Lyons joins the call for people to get vaccinated.
"It does help us to reclaim our lives," he says.
Members are running through business in record time this afternoon.
Robin Swann, the Health Minister, joins them in the chamber to open a debate on an amendment to the Covid-19 regulations.
He explains that the amendment was facilitated by the Economy Department and outlines that he asked the Economy Minister Paul Frew to lead the debate, but received a “disappointing” response.
“I hope it’s something we can begin to see less of over the coming months,” adds the minister.
Image source, NI Assembly“As I said this morning when I welcomed the new deputy chair of the Health Committee to his place (Gordon Lyons), I’m missing him already in his former role,” says the minister.
Mr Lyons was, until recently, a DUP junior minister.
Mr Swann says the amendment enabled those businesses in the hospitality industry which serve alcohol “to relax the requirements to provide table service”.
Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey winds on the bill and calls for members to support it to ensure those affected in NI are not left behind their counterparts in England, Scotland and Wales.
There bill’s put to an oral vote and it passes.
Image source, NI AssemblyCommunities Committee chair Paula Bradley says the Westminster Bill is currently before parliament and includes sections relating to devolved matters.
She says that most of the bodies dealing with fraud operate across the UK.
Ms Bradley outlines the briefings given to the committee.
The members recommended that the legislation be approved, she says.
Image source, Getty ImagesDeirdre Hargey remains in the chamber for the next item of business.
It’s a debate on the Compensation Bill and relates to pension fraud.
The bill, which has come from Westminster, is technical in nature, but you can read more detail about it here., external
The communities minister outlines that the “pensions regulator has placed professional pension trustees” to seek compensation for those who have been targeted by fraudsters.
She explains how a fraud compensation fund has been established and operates.
“The money allocated on foot of the bill will allow compensation payments to be made to any affected pension scheme members here,” in NI she adds.
Image source, NI AssemblyCommunities Minister Deirdre Hargey replies to the debate.
She describes some of the clauses as an attempt to "tidy up the legislation".
Ms Hargey says "there will be ongoing work with the committee".
Principal Deputy Speaker Christopher Stalford puts the various clauses and amendments to the vote and the bill moves on to the further consideration stage.
Mark Durkan of the SDLP outlines the clauses and amendments which his party will be backing.
“We look forward to seeing, scrutinising and hopefully being able to support something that is essential to allow councils to work effectively and add value to our ratepayers,” he adds.
Image source, NI AssemblyJim Allister of the TUV talks about Clause 3 of the bill, which relates to exemption from yearly audit and assessment.
“We granted accelerated passage on the basis of what we were doing was Covid related, patently clause 3 is not Covid related and is therefore not a fit candidate to be in a bill which is being granted the exceptional treatment of acceleration passage,” he says.
“The thought of the minister being able to remove those obligations from audit is for me an unhealthy and unwelcome step.”
Image source, NI AssemblySinn Féin's Fra McCann joins the debate by video link.
He says the minister's proposals represent a common-sense approach.
"We should all be focused on getting the legislation through in as timely a manner as possible so that we can guard against any further delay," the West Belfast MLA says.
Image source, NI AssemblyThat concludes Question Time.
MLAs take a short break before turning their attention to the consideration stage of the Local Government (Meetings and Performance) Bill.
It’s brought to the chamber by Deirdre Hargey, the Communities Minister.
The Bill does what it says on the tin. It relates to local councils and adaptations in how they meet due to Covid-19, including online meetings.
Paula Bradley, the chair of the Communities Committee, resumes the debate.
She says her party, the DUP, won’t support clause 3 of the bill which “is exemption from yearly audit and assessment”.
Here are five key points raised during Question Time with Economy Minister Paul Frew:
Image source, NI AssemblyTime now for topical questions.
Maolíosa McHugh of Sinn Féin mentions a "major supply contract" achieved by the dairy firm Dale Farm to export products to Denmark.
He asks the economy minister to outline "what your department will do to promote and build on opportunities presented by continuing access to the EU market".
Paul Frew responds that he wants to grow exports "in all markets".
"It is the imposition of the protocol that is doing so much damage to our businesses," he says.
Image source, NI AssemblyUUP leader Doug Beattie asks the minister "what action he will take to support the tourism sector over the summer of 2021."
Paul Frew says Phase 2 of the Tourism Recovery Action Plan was launched last month and represents "a comprehensive package of measures to support the regrowth of the tourism sector".
Mr Beattie asks how support can be issued to smaller visitor attractions.
The economy minister says the executive took immediate action to keep the tourist industry alive.
Image source, NI AssemblyKellie Armstrong of Alliance asks Paul Frew "what discussions he has had with the Executive Office for financial assistance to help travel agents due to ongoing travel restrictions, in addition to The Executive Office’s Travel Agents Coronavirus Financial Assistance Scheme 2021".
The minister says "support for this sector is being taken forward by the Executive Office".
Ms Armstrong says travel agents are vital in supporting air routes and airports.
Mr Frew responds that the NI Domestic Aviation Kickstart Scheme (NIDAKS) has been launched to support in-bound tourism and business travel air.
"It's £4.5m under ministerial direction," he adds.
Image source, NI AssemblyThe economy minister's DUP colleague, George Robinson, asks him "to outline the support available for new businesses".
Paul Frew describes some of the support, "financial and otherwise", available from Invest NI and other organisations for people considering starting up a business.
The minister says 12,000 businesses plans have been provided under the £20m Go For It scheme.
"That must be welcomed," he says.
Asked about the effect of the protocol on NI business he says:
"The protocol is damaging. The protocol is brutal."
Image source, NI AssemblyStepping up to the lectern for the first time since his appointment as Economy Minister is Paul Frew.
Sinn Féin's Cathal Boylan asks "how he intends to deliver on his department's commitments in New Decade, New Approach on workers' rights".
Mr Frew says "ensuring workers have jobs to go back to is my foremost priority".
He outlines how jobs can be protected through the Economic Recovery Action Plan and other initiatives.
Asked about low pay, Mr Frew says "low paid isn't the word I would use, I would talk about competitive pay".
Here are five key points raised during Question Time with the Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill:
