AQW 19508/17-22


Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford


Tabled Date: 26/05/2021
Answered On Date: 14/06/2021
Priority Written: No


Question:
To ask the Assembly Commission when the system for MLAs to sponsor charities and organisations to hold events in Parliament Buildings will recommence.


Answer:
The significant easing of public health restrictions and guidance in recent weeks has allowed a degree of family, societal and economic normalisation.
Given that the Assembly goes in to summer recess on 10 July 2021, the Assembly Commission has agreed that events, tours, public dining and visitors to Parliament Buildings will resume on 14 July 2021, after the public holidays. Naturally, all of these activities will be subject to comprehensive risk assessments and undertaken in a manner that continues to protect staff, Members, other building users and those who might visit for these reasons.
This date will allow time for staff to make the necessary preparations for the return of visitors to Parliament Buildings while ensuring the health and safety of all building users, and that of the public, and minimising the risk of infection so that the vital work of the Assembly is not disrupted in advance of recess.
On 22 June 2021 the Events Office will recommence taking provisional bookings for events and tours taking place from 14 July 2021 onwards. Of course, any bookings made will continue to be provisional until public health regulations and guidance permit the event being confirmed.
The health and safety of all building users, and that of visitors, will continue to be paramount. Consequently, in planning to resume events, tours, public dining and visitors to Parliament Buildings the Assembly Commission will continue to adopt a cautious, risk-based approach. In particular, the practical considerations in relation to the provision of events and public tours, whilst observing any social distancing or other requirements, will need to be considered in detail to ensure that they can be provided safely and if this is not the case then they would not be offered at this time.